Employment and health among older people: self-employment vs. wage employment

This study examines the impacts of employment at older ages on individuals’ health using data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing (KLoSA). In assessing the health consequences of employment, a distinction is made between self-employment, which is predominant among the elderly working population, and wage employment. The results demonstrate that the effects on health differ by employment type: self-employment has a negative impact on general health and mental health, whereas wage work has a positive impact. In contrast to wage work, self-employment improves cognitive functioning.