Research Report The Social Security Early Retirement Benefit as a Safety Net
John Bound, Timothy A. Waidmann
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This paper examines the health and economic status of those who collect Social Security retirement benefits prior to the full retirement age. It uses a propensity score reweighting method to estimate the fraction who use early retirement benefits as a safety net against deteriorating health and who might be induced to apply for disability benefits (SSDI) or retire without income replacement if the generosity or availability of early retirement benefits were reduced. About one in five early retirees have health characteristics similar to SSDI beneficiaries, and thus might not be able to replace losses in benefit income with labor income.

Research Areas Health and health care Wealth and financial well-being Aging and retirement Disability equity policy
Tags Social Security Older workers Employment and income data Disability and long-term care Pensions
Policy Centers Health Policy Center