The Impact of Sensory Impairment on Involuntary Retirement (July 2026)-The Impact of Sensory Impairment on Involuntary Retirement

The Impact of Sensory Impairment on Involuntary Retirement

Pdf Summary

This longitudinal study examined whether vision, hearing, or dual sensory impairment predicts involuntary early retirement among Korean workers aged 45 and older. Using 16 years of data from the nationally representative Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (3,379 baseline workers), the researchers classified sensory impairment from self-reported vision and hearing status and tracked retirement reasons over time. Early retirement was defined as leaving work for reasons other than regular retirement, and involuntary early retirement specifically included retirement driven by nonvoluntary reasons, especially health problems.<br /><br />After adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle, and health-related factors, sensory impairment was associated with higher retirement risk. Vision impairment increased the risk of involuntary early retirement (HR 1.23) and health-related involuntary retirement (HR 1.29). Hearing impairment showed a stronger association (HR 1.48 for involuntary early retirement; HR 1.52 for health-related retirement). Dual sensory impairment had the highest overall risk, with similarly elevated hazard ratios for involuntary and health-related retirement. Results were broadly consistent in subgroup and follow-up analyses.<br /><br />The authors suggest several pathways linking sensory loss to labor market exit, including occupational accidents, functional decline, reduced work ability, psychological distress, and social withdrawal. Hearing impairment appeared particularly influential, though dual impairment also conferred substantial risk.<br /><br />The study concludes that sensory impairment is an important predictor of unwanted early retirement in aging workers. It highlights the need for early detection, rehabilitation, workplace accommodations, and supportive occupational health policies to help older adults remain employed longer and reduce socioeconomic inequality.

Keywords

sensory impairment

involuntary early retirement

vision impairment

hearing impairment

dual sensory impairment

older workers

Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging

health-related retirement

occupational health

workforce aging