Retirement timing in Europe: The influence of individual work and life factors

• Work factors have a greater impact on women's retirement timing than they do on that of men.
• Leisure and educational activities influence retirement timing of both men and women.
• Social activities only affect the retirement decisions of men and not those of women.
• Retirement timing of both men and women is driven by the interplay of work and life.

This study considers the rational choice and life course theories to predict European retirement timing. It is relevant to compare men's and women's retirement decisions to determine whether they are influenced by work or by the interplay between work and familial, educational, and leisure life. An event history analysis of the European Community Household Panel (ECHP) suggests that work factors have a greater impact on European women's retirement timing than they do for men and that both men's and women's retirement timing is influenced by the interplay of work and life.