Expected Labor Force Activity and Retirement Behavior by Age, Gender, and Labor Force History

We find and estimate probability mass functions for labor force related random variables. Complete life expectancy (by age, gender, and two years of labor force history) is decomposed into expected years of future labor force activity and inactivity as well as into expected years until final separation from the labor force and expected years in retirement. We also calculate expected age at retirement and expected years in retirement for people who actually retire. Two consecutive years of inactivity, especially in middle age, is a key indicator for both men and women when accounting for future labor force participation and retirement. For example, women (men) who are out of the labor force at age 49 and again out of the labor force at age 50, can expect to be in the labor force seven (eight) fewer years in the future than their counterparts who were in the labor force at ages 49 and 50. In addition, they have expected retirement ages 4.5–5.5 years younger than their active counterparts.