The role of work-related factors on early retirement in 11 European countries

With the ageing population there is a need to increase work participation. The longitudinal 'Survey on Health and Ageing in Europe' (SHARE-study) makes it possible to identify possible predictors of early retirement. The hypothesis is that poor working conditions might predict early retirement. The SHARE-study contains data from 4,673 workers aged 50-60 year with paid employment at baseline and information on work status during the four-year follow-up. During the follow-up period 14% of the workers exited the workforce due to early retirement. A low educational level, excessive alcohol consumption, a reduced self-perceived health, and a lack of job control were the most important predictors of early retirement. Preventive interventions aimed to prevent health problems might contribute to the prevention of early exit from work.