Risk factors for voluntary early old-age retirement in middle-aged workers: A meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Gerontology
• Public Health

Background:

• Voluntary early old-age retirement is a growing concern among middle-aged workers.
• Identifying risk factors is crucial for developing targeted interventions.
• Sociodemographic, lifestyle, work-related, and health factors may influence retirement decisions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a meta-analysis identifying risk factors for voluntary early old-age retirement in middle-aged workers (40-64 years).
• To synthesize evidence from longitudinal observational studies on factors associated with early retirement.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, PsycInfo, and Scopus until February 2025.
• Included were observational longitudinal studies of workers aged 40-64 years.
• A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted, with quality assessment, heterogeneity, and publication bias evaluation.

Main Results:

• Overweight/obesity, physically demanding work, low job control, lack of skill development, poor general health, chronic conditions, and depressive symptoms increased early retirement risk.
• Factors like low job influence and organizational injustice also elevated risk.
• Being unmarried, separated, or widowed was associated with a lower risk of early retirement.

Conclusions:

• Overweight, physical and psychosocial work factors, limited skill development, and health issues significantly impact early retirement risk in middle-aged workers.
• Interventions should focus on promoting healthy lifestyles, creating supportive work environments, and enhancing mental health.
• These strategies may help reduce the likelihood of voluntary early old-age retirement.