Early retirement and depressive symptoms – results from the population-based LIFE-Adult-Study

Purpose Transition from employment to retirement is regarded a crucial event. However, there is mixed evidence on associations between retirement and mental health, especially regarding early retirement. In Germany, cases of early retirement due to ill health – particularly, mental ill health – are increasing. Therefor, we investigated the association between early retirement and depressive symptoms, including information on different types of early retirement.

Methods We analyzed data from 4,808 participants of the population-based LIFE-Adult-Study (age: 40-65 years, 654 retired, 4,154 employed), controlling for sociodemographic information, social network, pre-existing health conditions and duration of retirement. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Regression analysis using entropy balancing was applied to achieve covariate balance between retired and employed subjects.

Results We found no overall-differences in depressive symptoms between employed and retired persons (b = -.01; p = 0.981). When looking at different types of early retirement, ill-health retirement was linked to higher levels of depressive symptoms in women (b = 4.80, 95% CI = 1.88; 7.72), while voluntary retirement was associated with reduced depressive symptoms in men (b= -1.86, 95% CI = -3.18; -.53) even after controlling for covariates. For women, statutory retirement was linked to lower levels of depressive symptoms (b = -1.93, 95% CI = -3.82; -.038).

Conclusions Risk for depression among early retirees depends on reason for retirement: Especially for women, ill-health retirement is linked to higher levels of depressive symptoms. Women who retire early due to ill-health constitute a risk group for depressive symptoms that needs specific attention in the health care and social security system.

Publication History

Article published online:
02 September 2021