Health and labor force participation over the life cycle

The 20th century saw significant increases in both life expectancy and retirement rates - changes that have had dramatic impacts on nearly every aspect of society and the economy. Forecasting future trends in health and retirement rates requires investigation of such long-term trends and their causes. To that end, this book draws on new data - an extensive longitudinal survey of Union Army veterans born between 1820 and 1850 - to examine the factors that affected health and labor force participation in 19th century America.