Hispanics' Retirement Transitions and Differences by Nativity.

OBJECTIVE

This study examines differences in retirement decisions between older Hispanics and non-Hispanics, with a special focus on the role of nativity.

METHODS

We use 1998-2012 waves of the Health and Retirement Study. We estimate survival models of retirement and compare retirement transitions for U.S.-born Hispanics, foreign-born Hispanics, non-Hispanic Whites, and non-Hispanic Blacks.

RESULTS

Foreign-born Hispanics retire significantly later than other racial and ethnic groups. Controlling for personal characteristics, their risk of retirement is 39% lower compared with non-Hispanic Whites. Retirement transitions do not differ significantly between U.S.-born Hispanics and non-Hispanic Whites.

DISCUSSION

Difference in retirement timing between U.S.- and foreign-born Hispanics may partly be due to lower incomes and wealth accumulation of foreign-born Hispanics. Workforce development initiatives, policy initiatives promoting retirement savings, and Social Security reforms could improve future retirement security for older Hispanics, and make retirement a viable option for more foreign-born Hispanics.