Association between chronic morbidity and early retirement in Italy

To examine the association between early retirement and presence of chronic morbidity in an Italian working population approaching the statutory pension age.

The study population consisted of men and women aged 45-59 years, employed at some time in the past (n = 18,547), who participated in a national cross-sectional survey, conducted in 2005. By means of a standardized questionnaire, information was collected on employment status, chronic diseases, and sociodemographics. The outcome was being retired as of the survey date. The association with number of diseases reported and specific long-term illnesses was assessed through multivariate Poisson regression models with robust standard errors, adjusted for potential confounders (p < 0.05).

In the final multivariable models, people with poorer health were more likely to retire earlier. Diseases of the nervous system, malignant tumors, myocardial infarction, other cardiac diseases, and arthrosis/arthritis were the illnesses most strongly associated with early retirement; furthermore, the risk of retirement increased linearly as the number of diseases reported increased. Among other covariates, age, area of residence, educational level, and occupational social class were also significantly associated with the outcome. Occupational social class significantly modified the association between morbidity and retirement in men, among whom a higher risk of retirement associated with morbidity was observed in the highest, compared with lower social classes.

A statistically significant and independent association between chronic morbidity and early retirement was observed among subjects approaching the statutory pension age, suggesting the need to develop interventions to improve prevention and treatment of chronic conditions.