SECULAR CHANGES IN THE WORK AND RETIREMENT PATTERNS OF OLDER MEN

This paper examines trends in the work and retirement patterns of male s aged 58 to 63 in 1969 and 1989 respectively. The labor force attachm ents of this group have fallen for reasons unrelated to changes in ind ividual characteristics or occupational attainment. Especially sharp r eductions at age 62 hint at an increasingly important role for the ear ly retirement provisions in Social Security. Attachments to longest jo bs have also declined substantially beginning at age 55. Although pens ion incentives may be significant, the observed correlations between p ensions and employment status may also reflect the role of confounding factors such as poorly measured nonpension wealth.