Working Out of Necessity: How Job Lock Shapes Health for Older Workers

AI Summary

Job lock affected 77% of older workers, indicating widespread necessity-driven continued employment.
Baseline job lock predicted higher odds of poor self-rated health, depressive symptoms, psychiatric problems, and overweight or obesity over six years.
Policies should reduce financial and insurance barriers and strengthen supports to help workers accumulate retirement resources for sustainable workforce exit.

AI Summary

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Using longitudinal data from workers aged 50 and older in the Health and Retirement Study (n = 5,217), generalized estimating equation models examined the association between baseline job lock and mental and physical health outcomes over six years.

Over follow-up, those reporting job lock at baseline had significantly higher odds of fair or poor self-rated health (OR 1.47, 95% CI [1.26-1.71]), elevated depressive symptoms (OR 1.50, 95% CI [1.29, 1.75]), psychiatric problems (OR 1.34, 95% CI [1.10, 1.63]), and elevated weight status (obese: OR 1.22, 95% CI [1.06, 1.40], overweight: OR 1.29, 95% CI [1.12, 1.47]), even after adjustment for sociodemographic, financial, and behavioral confounders.

Findings were similar among workers aged 62 and older at baseline, for whom job lock was additionally linked to increased likelihood of heart disease (OR 1.25, 95% CI [1.03-1.53]).

Basic summary

Gerontologist. 2026 Jul 22:gnag159. doi: 10.1093/geront/gnag159. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The labor force participation rate among older American adults has steadily increased since the mid-1990s, reflecting delayed and potentially constrained retirement decisions that may have implications for the health and well-being of an aging workforce. This study investigates whether job lock-defined as continuing to work out of necessity, despite a desire to retire-predicts subsequent adverse health outcomes.

RESULTS: Job lock was highly prevalent, affecting 77% of respondents. Over follow-up, those reporting job lock at baseline had significantly higher odds of fair or poor self-rated health (OR 1.47, 95% CI [1.26-1.71]), elevated depressive symptoms (OR 1.50, 95% CI [1.29, 1.75]), psychiatric problems (OR 1.34, 95% CI [1.10, 1.63]), and elevated weight status (obese: OR 1.22, 95% CI [1.06, 1.40], overweight: OR 1.29, 95% CI [1.12, 1.47]), even after adjustment for sociodemographic, financial, and behavioral confounders. These associations were even stronger among those who remained employed through the end of follow-up. Findings were similar among workers aged 62 and older at baseline, for whom job lock was additionally linked to increased likelihood of heart disease (OR 1.25, 95% CI [1.03-1.53]).

DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: These findings highlight the need to reduce financial and insurance-related barriers to retirement and strengthen supports for workers to accumulate adequate resources for a sustainable transition out of the workforce.

PMID:42485227 | DOI:10.1093/geront/gnag159

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