Association of chronic morbidity and early retirement in India: Evidence from Longitudinal Ageing Study in India

Context: Chronic diseases have a profound impact on productivity and job interest, often resulting in significant losses in both. Numerous scientific research has shown that chronic illnesses have a negative impact on work-related outcomes. The findings of these studies highlight the importance of studying the association of chronic morbidity and early retirement by addressing chronic diseases comprehensively in the workplace to promote employee well-being, productivity, and overall work satisfaction. Methods The initial phase of the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) was utilized, focusing on outcome variables related to early retirement caused by poor health. Through multivariate analysis using a probit regression model, we evaluated the correlation between early retirement and specific chronic diseases, as well as the cumulative number of chronic diseases and other sociodemographic factors. Findings: Neurological problems and stroke were those showing the strongest association with early retirement, followed by chronic lung and heart diseases. Among other covariates, the risk of retirement was significantly lower among the currently married and rural sector. Considering socioeconomic characteristics, subjects with lower education were significantly at higher risk of early retirement. Conclusions We observed a statistically significant connection between chronic health conditions and early retirement among individuals nearing the age for receiving statutory pensions, even after accounting for potential confounding factors. The association between health issues and early retirement was particularly pronounced among subjects affected by stroke and neurological problems. The study results highlight the importance of developing interventions aimed at enhancing prevention and treatment of chronic illnesses, as well as creating workplace accommodations for individuals with health issues, in order to bolster labor force participation rates among older workers