The Impact of Sensory Impairment on Involuntary Retirement: A 16-year Follow-up Study on National Representative Aging.

Abstract

This study examined the association between sensory impairments and involuntary early retirement due to health reasons among aging workers. Data were obtained from a nationally representative longitudinal cohort of 3379 Korean adults aged ≥45 years followed for 16 years. Sensory impairment was assessed by self-reported vision and hearing impairment at baseline. Early retirement, including involuntary and health-related involuntary retirement, was analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for covariates. Sensory impairments significantly increased involuntary early retirement risk (hazard ratios [HR] (95% confidence intervals [CI]): vision 1.23 [1.01-1.51], hearing 1.48 [1.14-1.93], dual 1.48 [1.09-2.01]) and health-related retirement (HRs 1.29-1.53). Dual sensory impairment showed the highest risk and was associated with occupational accidents and psychological distress. Sensory impairment elevates involuntary early retirement risk, highlighting the need for timely intervention and workplace adaptation.