Australia’s ageing population means there are economic and societal advantages to keeping older people engaged in the workforce. However, a substantial proportion of older workers retire well before the age at which they are eligible for the age pension. Common reasons for early retirement range from taking advantage of good health and economic circumstances to being forced to retire (partly or completely) due to poor health or working conditions.

This report presents findings from an analysis of data from middle-aged participants of the Personality and Total Health (PATH) Through Life project being undertaken by the Centre for Research on Ageing, Health and Wellbeing at the Australian National University. In particular, the report investigates the predictors of early retirement among middle-aged workers, with particular interest in the influence of unfavourable psychosocial working conditions like high job demands, low job control and high perceived job insecurity.