Intergenerational support and retirement timing among older men and women by race/ethnicity

Retirement timing is associated with health and economic outcomes for older adults. However, it is unclear how the pressures of supporting older parents and young adult children are associated with retirement. This study uses a life course perspective to consider how the linked lives of working older adults and their support of adult children and parents are associated with retire-ment. Cox proportional hazard models are estimated using the Health and Retirement Study (1992-2014) to assess the relationship between intergenerational support exchanges and retire-ment timing by gender and race/ethnicity. Providing most types of intergenerational support and especially providing time support are associated with an increased risk of retirement. Unlike all other respondents, Hispanic women providing intergenerational time support have similar retirement risks as those not providing any intergenerational support. These differing patterns by race/ethnicity suggest that earlier life course trajectories may shape older adults' ability to respond to family needs.