Monday, December 18, 2017

The Mortality Effects of Retirement: Evidence from Social Security Eligibility at Age 62

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Social Security eligibility begins at age 62, and approximately one third of Americans immediately claim at that age. A new study examines whether age 62 is associated with a discontinuous change in aggregate mortality, a key measure of population health. Using mortality data that covers the entire U.S. population and includes exact dates of birth and death, the study documents a robust two percent increase in male mortality immediately after age 62. The change in female mortality is smaller. 

Additional analysis suggests that the increase in male mortality is connected to retirement from the labor force and associated lifestyle changes.

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