Older Workers and the Work-Leisure Choice: The causes of early retirement in Australia

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Abstract
Retirement is a relatively recent social phenomenon. Early retirement is an even more recent one. This article traces the emergence of early retirement in Australia. While a host of individual factors may enter into the retirement decision, the intent of this article is to show how complex institutional factors have played an important role in producing high levels of early retirement. Thus, this article reflects a political economy perspective on ageing, a perspective which demands that consideration be given to the role of institutional arrangements in shaping the prevailing retirement pattern and, indeed, other problems confronting the elderly.