WI22-03: Family Proximity and Co-Residence in Retirement: Heterogeneity in Residential Changes Across Older Adults’ Economic and Care Contexts

Retirement is a turning point for many individuals with regards to residential changes. This project uses longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study to understand associations between family-related residential changes and economic well-being in later life. Residential changes to live near or with family in later life can facilitate caregiving for young children and older adults, increase older adults’ social interactions, and provide in-kind financial support. However, when changes correspond with job separations and early OASI claiming, they may impact public and private sources of retirement income. This project first evaluates how often residential changes to live near or with family coincide with retirement, and how this varies across demographic groups, the onset of family caregiving responsibilities, and economic need. Then, the project examines how these associations correspond with early OASI claiming. This latter assessment compares, for example, claims timing for those with a high probability of residential change due to the onset of family care responsibilities versus those with a high probability due to economic needs. Findings will reveal social and economic determinants of family-focused residential changes and consequences for benefit receipt.