Changes in labor market participation over the life course of men and women in Canada

In the last few decades, we have witnessed the "destandardization" of the life course. More specifically, the transition from work to retirement has been destandardised, as the "worker" and "retired" statuses have combined or alterned in variable forms. In the present study, we identify 11 forms of transition by means of analyses of sequences relative to the labor market activity and to the sources and levels of incomes of a cohort of Canadians aged between 50 and 64. We found variability in the forms of transition, evidenced by differences in the propension to maintain a job within the course of a partial retirement, in maintaining or to resuming labour market activity after a job cessation, and by disparities in sources and levels of income. We also identified personal and professional characteristics associated with the forms of transition. The results are relevant to social policies regarding inequalities of seniors in labour market activity, and the adequacy of sources and levels of income during this transition.