Retiring for better health? Evidence from health investment behaviors in Japan

This paper examines the causal effects of retirement on health investment behavior among Japanese permanent employees. We find that the Japanese employees participate less in unhealthy habits (smoking and drinking) after retiring from their permanent employment, and after completely ceasing to work, they further increase participation in healthy life habits (regular exercise). We also find gender differences in these responses. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.