Working Out of Necessity: How Job Lock Shapes Health for Older Workers

Abstract Background and Objectives The labor force participation rate among older American adults has steadily increased since the mid-1990s, reflecting delayed and potentially constrained retirement decisions that may have implications for the health and well-being of an aging workforce. This study investigates whether job lock–defined as continuing to work out of necessity, despite a desire to retire–predicts subsequent adverse health outcomes. Research Design and Methods Using longitudinal data from workers aged 50 and older in the Health and Retirement Study (n = 5,217), generalized estimating equation models examined the association between baseline job lock and mental and physical health outcomes over six years. Results Job lock was highly prevalent, affecting 77% of respondents. Over follow-up, those reporting job lock at baseline had significantly higher odds of fair or poor self-rated health (OR 1.47, 95% CI [1.26-1.71]), elevated depressive symptoms (OR 1.50, 95% CI [1.29, 1.75]), psychiatric problems (OR 1.34, 95% CI [1.10, 1.63]), and elevated weight status (obese: OR 1.22, 95% CI [1.06, 1.40], overweight: OR 1.29, 95% CI [1.12, 1.47]), even after adjustment for sociodemographic, financial, and behavioral confounders. These associations were even stronger among those who remained employed through the end of follow-up. Findings were similar among workers aged 62 and older at baseline, for whom job lock was additionally linked to increased likelihood of heart disease (OR 1.25, 95% CI [1.03-1.53]). Discussion and implications These findings highlight the need to reduce financial and insurance-related barriers to retirement and strengthen supports for workers to accumulate adequate resources for a sustainable transition out of the workforce.