Can I live with you after I retire? Retirement, old age support, and internal migration of older adults in China

Simiao Chen (), Zhangfeng Jin () and Klaus Prettner
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Simiao Chen: Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University

Department of Economics Working Papers from Vienna University of Economics and Business, Department of Economics

Abstract: This study examines the causal impact of retirement on migration decisions. Using a regression discontinuity (RD) design approach, combined with a nationally representative sample of 228,855 Chinese older adults, we find that retirement increases the probability of migration by 12.9 p.p. (an 80% increase in migration). Approximately 38% of the total migration effects can be attributed to inter-temporal substitution. Retirement-induced migrants are lower-educated, have restricted access to social security, and come from origins with high living costs. Relying on old age support from adult children in migration is a likely mechanism. These findings are consistent with a simple theoretical model of migration for older adults.

Keywords: Retirement; Internal migration; Old age support; China; Regression discontinuity design (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J14 J26 J61 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020-10
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-age, nep-cna, nep-lab, nep-mig and nep-tra
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Working Paper: Can I live with you after I retire? Retirement, old age support, and internal migration of older adults in China (2020)
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