How “Clocking in” Ages Us: An Examination of Work History, Work Quality, and Accelerated Epigenetic Aging in Older Adulthood

Consistent employment, especially secure, high-wage employment, has well-documented associations with lower risk of later-life morbidity and mortality, and accelerated biological aging may underlie these associations. Although research evaluating employment and accelerated epigenetic aging is growing, questions remain about the implications of chronic work-related exposures for accelerated aging. This study uses longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and the 2016 HRS Venous Blood Study (n = 3,000) to evaluate how work-related experiences throughout midlife are associated with accelerated epigenetic aging. Results show that a history of not working for pay and a history of poor work quality (i.e., job insecurity, insufficient work hours, low wages) among workers in midlife are associated with accelerated epigenetic aging in later life. Symptoms of depression and health behaviors partially attenuate these associations. Overall, findings suggest that chronic work-related exposures are critical yet overlooked antecedents of accelerated aging.