Full Citation
Title: Socioeconomic Inequalities in Health: Implications for the Retirement Age Debate
Citation Type: Journal Article
Publication Year: 2014
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Abstract: The debate about raising the retirement age of U.S. workers has revolved primarily around the longer life expectancy of the population and its impact on the solvency of Social Security; consideration of socioeconomic health disparities has been largely absent. In response to this gap we analyze educational differentials in health among middle-age and older adults and translate the results into age-equivalents. We use the nationally-representative 1997-2010 National Health Interview Surveys for data on general health and activity limitations among white and black men and women aged 40-74 (N=341,060). Using age-adjusted prevalence and nonparametric regression models, we determine health levels by age and education. Results vary slightly across health outcomes and demographic subgroups but generally show that college-educated white men report health levels at age 70 that are equivalent to the health reported by high school graduates about 15 to 30 years younger. High school dropouts report worse health at age 40 than the college-educated group at 70, a gap of over 30 years. The results show the enormous health disparities in intuitive age-equivalents and highlight the importance of considering the disparities in discussions about raising the retirement age, both in terms of fairness and feasibility.
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Authors: Zajacova, Anna; Karas-Montez, Jennifer; Herd, Pamala
Periodical (Full): Journal of Gerontology
Issue: 6
Volume: 69
Pages: 973-978
Data Collections: IPUMS Health Surveys - NHIS
Topics: Aging and Retirement, Health
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