Effects of job lock and work arrangements on the incidence of occupational injuries to older workers in the Health and Retirement Study, 2010-2022.

INTRODUCTION: Job lock, when older workers cannot retire due to financial or health insurance needs, is potentially an occupational safety issue. This study explored the longitudinal effect of job lock on work-related injuries to older workers, hypothesizing that job lock increases their injury rates. It then examined how this relationship varies across work arrangements.

METHODS: Analysis using 2010-2022 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) data for workers aged 55-64 years and 65 years and older compared work exposures in each wave to injuries reported in the next wave. Repeated measures negative binomial regression estimated longitudinal effects of job lock (financial, health insurance, or both) on work-related injuries, exploring effect modification by work arrangements (full-time, part-time, partly retired, self-employed). Analysis was conducted in 2025.

RESULTS: Workers aged 55-64 years overall had 51.8 work-related injuries per 1000 person-years, compared to 44.3 work-related injuries per 1000 person-years for workers aged 65 years and older. Among those aged 55-64 years, these rates were 48% higher with job lock for financial reasons (IRR=1.48, [95% CI 1.04-2.13]), and similarly for health insurance reasons. Potentially stronger effects were observed for workers in full-time (IRR=1.57 [1.15-2.16]) and possibly part-time roles (IRR=1.72 [0.86-3.46]). After age 65 years, this data suggests that workers had a 29% higher injury rate from financial job lock (IRR=1.29 [0.66-2.51].

CONCLUSIONS: Job lock was associated with higher work-related injury rates, particularly for those in full or part-time roles before age 65 years. For self-employed, partly retired, or workers over age 65 years, job lock presented less clear injury risk, possibly from differences in job tasks or selection into safer roles. Further research should address mechanisms of job lock to elevate injury risks. Improving access to retirement resources earlier in workers' careers may help to address work-related injuries and economic challenges of aging.