The Mental and Physical Health Consequences of Changes in Private Insurance Before and After Early Retirement

TitleThe Mental and Physical Health Consequences of Changes in Private Insurance Before and After Early Retirement
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2016
AuthorsKail, BLennox
JournalThe Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
Volume71
Issue2
Pagination358-368
KeywordsHealth Conditions and Status, Insurance, Retirement Planning and Satisfaction
Abstract

Objectives. This study evaluated the impact of private insurance coverage on the symptoms of depression, activities of daily living (ADLs), and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) in the years leading up to Medicare eligibility focusing on the transition from full-time work to early full retirement.Method. The Health and Retirement Study was used to (a) estimate 2-stage selection equations of (i) the transition to retirement and (ii) current insurance status, and (b) the impact of insurance coverage on health, net of endogeneity associated retirement and insurance coverage.Results. Employment-based insurance coverage was generally associated with better health. Moreover, being without employment-based insurance was particularly problematic during the transition to retirement. Non-group insurance only moderated the association between losing employment-based insurance and IADLs.Discussion. Results indicated that private insurance coverage is an important contextual factor for the health of early retirees. Those who maintain steady coverage tend to fare the best in retirement. This highlights the dynamic nature of changes in health in later life.

URLhttp://psychsocgerontology.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2015/03/28/geronb.gbv020.abstract
DOI10.1093/geronb/gbv020
Endnote Keywords

Insurance/Retirement/Health

Endnote ID

999999

Citation Key8382