The mental health of early retirees

Background There is intense political interest in retaining older workers in the workforce, to fund lengthening retirements. While health is important in early exit from work, the health of early retirees has been little studied. Objective The aim of this study was to compare the health status of economically active 50- to 64-year-olds with economically inactive former workers (termed early retirees).Methods A total of 1,875 respondents to the 2000 Psychiatric Morbidity Survey of Great Britain were included in the analysis. Current common mental (neurotic) disorder presence was based on the revised Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R). Results In all, 71.2% of men and 66.4% of women early retirees reported having a long-standing illness. Of early retired men, 22.2% have a common mental disorder compared to 8.2% of those still in work (p value of difference <0.001). In contrast, the respective figures for women were 18.2% and 16.9%. In fully adjusted regression models for men, early retirees were more likely to have generalised anxiety disorders (OR 3.1: 95% CI: 1.2–7.8) and depressive disorders (OR 4.3: 95% CI: 1.7–11.0). Conclusion There is a substantial burden of specific mental health disorders in early retiree men. Understanding the mechanisms of this excess of mental disorders in early retiree men may be a prerequisite to increasing the numbers seeking or staying in work up to age 65.