Job strain and older workers: Can a reduction in job strain help to eliminate the Social Security drain?

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Cahalin, Lawrence P.

Affiliations: Northeastern University, Department of Physical Therapy, 6 Robinson Hall, Boston, MA 02115-5000, USA. Tel.: +1 617 373 3783; Fax: +1 617 373 3161; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: Job strain is the psychological and physiological response to a lack of control or support in the work environment. It appears to be an important risk factor for continued employment throughout the lifespan. Reducing job strain earlier in a workers life has the potential to have substantial beneficial health effects throughout a workers life. Early screening for job strain should be implemented in known high risk or high strain jobs. This is particularly important since there a fewer younger workers entering the labor force and there will be a growing need for older workers to remain in the workforce. Furthermore, healthier workers will require less medical care and are likely to work longer if they are willing and able. Healthier older workers who are willing and able to work longer will defer receipt of retirement benefits while continuing to pay into the Social Security System. Further investigation of older individuals (1) willingness and motivation to work past the normal retirement age, (2) career and employment security, skills development, and reconciliation of working and non-working life, and (3) job strain and effects of reducing job strain is needed. The current job strain literature has been expanded to the Social Security System arena and suggests that reducing job strain has the potential to help eliminate the Social Security drain by increasing older worker labor force retention.

Keywords: Work, aging, health, social security system, job strain, normal retirement age

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0838

Journal: Work, vol. 33, no. 1, pp. 3-12, 2009