Before beginning research on retirement or retirees, data users should have a clear definition of retirement and their study population. Some definitions of retirement require that an individual not be in the labor force. Some researchers may be interested in semi-retirement, e.g., individuals who receive a Social Security pension but continue to work, or have returned to work after retiring.
Researchers studying retirement or retirees will need information on one or more of the following factors:
- Retirement status: Some data collections and samples include variables that clearly indicate that an individual is retired.
- Labor force/employment status: If retirement status is not explicitly reported, users can make assumptions about who is and is not retired based on employment or labor force status.
- Social Security income receipt and amount: Many U.S. retirees receive a Social Security pension—but some individuals who are not retired (i.e., survivors of Social Security-eligible individuals, and people with disabilities) also receive Social Security income.
- Other retirement income receipt and amount: Other sources of retirement income to consider include income from IRAs, 401Ks, other private savings accounts, and employee pensions.
The table below summarizes the information available on retirement in four IPUMS data collections: IPUMS USA, IPUMS CPS, IPUMS Health Surveys (IPUMS MEPS and IPUMS NHIS), and IPUMS ATUS.
Table 1. Information on retirement in IPUMS data collections
Example studies of retirement using IPUMS data
- Coile, C. C., & Levine, P. B. (2011). Recessions, retirement, and social security. American Economic Review, 101(3), 23-28.
- Flood, S., Moen, P., & Wang, J. (2019). SHORT-TERM US PATHS TOWARD RETIREMENT: SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES ACROSS AGE-GENDER-CLASS INTERSECTIONS. Innovation in Aging, 3(Supplement_1), S805-S805.
Suggested citation
Pastoor, Isabel. 2026. “Studying Retirement with IPUMS Data.” University of Minnesota Life Course Center, November 3, 2026. https://lcc.umn.edu/node/2251.