Job search requirements for older unemployed: Transitions to employment, early retirement and disability benefits

We use a recent policy change in the Netherlands to study how changes in search requirements for the older unemployed affect their transition rates to employment, early retirement and sickness/disability benefits. The reform, becoming effective on January 1 2004, requires the elderly to formally report their job search efforts to the employment office in order to avoid a (temporary) cut in benefits. Before the new law was passed, unemployed individuals were allowed to stop all search activity at the moment they turned 57.5. Estimating various duration models using difference-in-difference and regression discontinuity approaches, we find that for several groups of individuals who are affected by the policy change, the stricter search requirements significantly increases their entry rate into employment. However, we also find evidence of a higher outflow to sickness/disability insurance schemes, a presumably unwanted side-effect of the policy change.

► A Dutch policy change imposed job search requirements on the older unemployed (57.5+). ► We study transition rates to employment, early retirement and disability benefits. ► Difference-in-difference techniques and RD designs within a duration frame-work. ► Positive: Outflow to jobs increased by 6.5 percentage points. ► Negative: outflow to disability benefits increased by 2.5-4 percentage points.