Combining Work and Care: Impact of Caregiving and Work-related Factors On Retirement Status Among Older Adults in New Zealand

Abstract Balancing work and caregiving responsibilities is a growing concern for ageing populations, with significant implications for workforce participation and retirement decisions. This study explores how caregiving-related and work-related factors affect retirement decisions of older adults reconciling paid work and caregiving responsibilities. We examined 502 informal caregivers aged 55–68 in paid employment from the New Zealand Health, Work, and Retirement study. Binary logistic regression, controlling for demographic and health variables, revealed that higher caregiving frequency and job stress predicted retirement at the two-year follow-up. Furthermore, employment status played a critical role: older workers in involuntary part-time, involuntary full-time, and voluntary part-time roles were substantially more likely to retire compared to those in voluntary full-time positions. These findings underscore the multifaceted nature of retirement decisions for older adults navigating work and caregiving responsibilities. The results highlight the importance of understanding both the pressures of caregiving and the employment conditions that shape retirement trajectories. Policies that accommodate diverse work preferences, improve workplace flexibility, and address job stress are essential to support older workers balancing these dual roles, ensuring they can remain in the workforce if desired while managing caregiving commitments.