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Socioeconomic Determinants of Early Retirement in Canada

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

P. Lynn McDonald  and
Richard A. Wanner
P. Lynn McDonald
Affiliation:
The University of Calgary
Richard A. Wanner
Affiliation:
The University of Calgary
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Abstract

In view of the trend toward increasing early retirement observed in Canada since the 1960's, this study attempts to determine the main socioeconomic factors influencing the decision to retire before age 65 among Canadian men and women. Using data from the 1973 Canadian Mobility Study, we estimate a series of models in which retirement is measured as both the degree of involvement in the labour force and a subjective declaration of retirement status. We conclude that those Canadians who retire early tend to be single men and married women employed by others who are better educated and whose nonearned income is higher than those who retire at a later age. As anticipated, early retirement experiences are different for men and women, reflecting the more precarious position of women in the labour market.

Résumé

Etant donné la tendance à la retraite anticipée qui se manifeste depuis les années 60, la présente étude porte sur les principaux facteurs socio-économiques qui influent sur la décision des Canadiens et des Canadiennes prenant leur retraite avant l'âge de 65 ans. A l'aide des données fournies par l'étude sur la mobilité au Canada (1973 Canadian Mobility Study), nous considérons une série de modèles destinés à rendre compte de la retraite en fonction du degré d'engagement à l'égard du travail d'une part, et d'autre part des déclarations subjectives concernant la condition des retraités. Les conclusions qui se dégagent de notre étude sont les suivantes: les Canadiens qui devancent l'âge de la retraite sont les hommes célibataires et les femmes mariées qui ne travaillent par pour leur propre compte, sont mieux instruits, et jouissent de revenus non gagnés supérieurs à ceux qui prennent leur retraite à un âge plus avancé. Ainsi que nous l'avions prévu, l'expérience de la retraite anticipée est différente pour les hommes et les femmes, ce qui correspond à la précarité de la situation des femmes sur le marché du travail.

Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 3 , Issue 3 , September 1984 , pp. 105 - 116
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1984

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