The role of modifiable work-related factors in retirement decisions. The health and employment after fifty, factors influencing retirement study (HEAF FIRST). A mixed methods study in the UK

Abstract

Increased left expectancy coupled with decreased birth rates has resulted in an 'ageing society' with increases in the proportion of older people compared to traditional 'working age' people. Therefore, many countries are seeking to encourage working to older ages.
This thesis explored the role that work-related factors play in individuals’ retirement decision-making, with a focus on factors that employers could potentially modify. Mixed-methods research was conducted in three phases.
Phase one: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 17 recent retirees asking about factors which influenced their retirement. Thematic analysis showed that work-related factors were important, and both 'pushed' the retirees towards retirement, but also 'pulled' back towards work.
Phase two: A systematic review was conducted to explore the evidence as to which work-related factors affected the decision to retire (since 2000). Over 150 factors had been investigated but the literature was heterogeneous. Overall, the most consistent evidence was for increased levels of job control and more appreciation at work being factors which reduced risk of retirement.
Phase three: A nested case-control study was conducted within the Health and Employment After Fifty study. Questionnaires, informed by results from the two previous phases, were sent to incident retirees and age and sex-matched workers. After adjustment for age, sex, financial position, socio-economic position and marital status, the results showed that: job dissatisfaction; irregular hours; unhappiness with hours; effort reward imbalance; perception of declining standards; isolation at work; feelings of 'us vs them'; the demand-control-support model; being in a workplace that was not perceived to encourage later working; kneeling/squatting; commuting for more than 30 minutes; overnight stays; less flexibility; being constantly available; and work-life conflict were all factors associated with an increased risk of being retired.
HEAF FIRST suggests that work-related factors are important in retirement decisions and the factors identified could be investigated in further studies and/or employer-led interventions.

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Identifiers

ORCID for Karen Walker-Bone: orcid.org/0000-0002-5992-1459

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