Per cent (and N) distribution of life-course labour market histories, by paid work post-SPA
| Not in paid work at W3 | In paid work at W3 | All sample | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men | |||
| Continuous work up to SPA | |||
| Mostly FT throughout to SPA | 40.4 (296) | 75.6 (93) | 45.4 (389) |
| Weak labour market attachment | |||
| Mostly non-employed throughout | 4.9 (36) | 0.8 (1) | 4.3 (37) |
| FT very early exit (at about age 49) | 12.7 (93) | 4.1 (5) | 11.5 (98) |
| Continuous work up to about age 60 | |||
| FT early exit (at about age 60) | 33.6 (246) | 5.7 (7) | 29.6 (253) |
| Late start at about age 23, early exit (at about age 60) | 8.5 (62) | 13.8 (17) | 9.2 (79) |
| Women | |||
| Continuous work FT or PT up to SPA | |||
| Mostly PT throughout to SPA | 5.2 (45) | 7.3 (21) | 5.7 (66) |
| Mostly FT throughout to SPA | 25.3 (217) | 30.6 (88) | 26.6 (305) |
| Weak labour market attachment | |||
| Mostly non-employed throughout/family carer | 21.4 (184) | 4.2 (12) | 17.1 (196) |
| Early exit (at about age 48) | 9.7 (83) | 0.7 (2) | 7.4 (85) |
| Paid work up to SPA with family care interruptions | |||
| Long break (about ages 26–41) to PT up to SPA | 10.4 (89) | 16.0 (46) | 11.8 (135) |
| Short break (about ages 26–30) to PT up to SPA | 11.4 (98) | 18.8 (54) | 13.3 (152) |
| Medium break (about ages 26–34) to FT up to SPA | 16.6 (143) | 22.6 (65) | 18.1 (208) |
Source: ELSA life history, 2006/2007.
ELSA, English Longitudinal Study of Ageing; FT, full-time; PT, part time; SPA, state pension age; W3, wave 3.