Aging into disability beyond 50: the impact on labor force participation and earnings
Disability and Intersecting Statuses
ISBN: 978-1-78350-156-4, eISBN: 978-1-78350-157-1
Publication date: 27 December 2013
Abstract
Purpose
This study 1 examined the relationship between chronic conditions, disabilities, and labor force participation (LFP) and earnings for those aged 50 and above.
Design/methodology/approach
Using the 2008 American Community Survey (ACS), we analyzed LFP rates and earnings among disabled and nondisabled older Americans by type of disability. The analysis included both descriptive statistics and a two-staged multivariate analysis.
Findings
We found that disabilities had a negative impact on LFP and earnings and that this impact varied significantly by type of disability. Older labor force participants often have only one of the six ACS-defined disabilities, but many have multiple disabilities, or co-occurrences. The particular ACS disability, or set of disabilities, is likely to have different effects on LFP as people age. Additionally, certain kinds of chronic medical conditions increase the likelihood of disability co-occurrence.
Originality/value
Our results inform the development of programs and policies aimed at improving the health of American workers in ways that extend the years in which they are able to remain in the labor force. For example, if older workers remain in the labor force, their economic contribution to the American economy, combined with a lower rate of reliance on public health subsidies, may result in significant cost savings.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgments
This chapter was based on an Issue Brief by Social Dynamics, LLC and Altarum Institute, funded by a grant/contract from the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy (Number DOLU099429556). The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the U.S. Department of Labor nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply the endorsement of the U.S. Department of Labor.
Citation
Roehrig, C., Klayman, D. and Robinson, K. (2013), "Aging into disability beyond 50: the impact on labor force participation and earnings", Disability and Intersecting Statuses (Research in Social Science and Disability, Vol. 7), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 189-204. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-3547(2013)0000007009
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2013 Emerald Group Publishing Limited