LATE RETIREMENT AND VOLUNTEERING AMONG OLDER JAPANESE. (16th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kobayashi, E; Sugawara, I; Fukaya, T; Liang, J
• Is Part Of: Innovation in aging. Volume 2(2018)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 965
• Page End: 965
• Publication Date: 2018-11-16
• Subjects: Aging -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 612.67
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igy031.3576
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2399-5300

Abstract

Abstract: Background: While labor force participation among older adults has been promoted in Japan, it is not well understood how late retirement affects volunteer participation in the community. This study examined whether retirement promoted volunteering and if this association differed by age at retirement among older Japanese. Methods: Data came from the National Survey of the Japanese Elderly, a panel study of a representative Japanese sample aged 60 and over. We analyzed the pooled data of 1999(T1)-2002(T2) and 2012(T1)-2017(T2) in which different cohorts participated (n=3468). Logistic and tobit regression models were used to predict whether respondents volunteered in the past year and hours of volunteering at T2, respectively. Explanatory variables were change of work status between T1 and T2 (continuously working as reference, retired, continuously not-working), gender, age and volunteering status at T1, while controlling for other T1 attributes including education, income, social networks, health, and survey year. Results: An interaction effect between change of work status and age at T1 was significant. Namely, retirement during 3–5 years' follow-up enhanced probability and time commitment of volunteering among younger respondents but not among the older. In contrast, volunteer participation at T1 was a strong predictor of T2 volunteering regardless of age and work status. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that delaying retirement from paid work would reduce supply of volunteers in the community. Policy to encourage workers to experience volunteering before retirement is important, so that they can keep and increase volunteering after retirement.