Does late-career nontraditional work improve retirement security?

Abstract

The brief's key findings are: Nontraditional jobs lack health and retirement benefits, but could help older workers prolong their careers by offering more flexibility and less stress. The questions are whether workers in traditional jobs at 62 who are underprepared for retirement are more likely to switch to nontraditional work, and whether it helps. The results show no evidence that they are more likely to switch. But, those who do switch close much of the gap in their retirement security by age 68, suggesting nontraditional jobs are a viable option.