The Impact of Longest-Held Job in Lifetime on Job Satisfaction Among Employed Older Adults: Comparing Occupation

Abstract

This study examined the impact of the longest-held job on job satisfaction among employed elderly individuals, comparing different occupations. Data from the 2023 National Survey of Older Koreans were analyzed using propensity score matching and multiple regression methods. The results of the analysis are as follows. First, job satisfaction was significantly higher for employed seniors who remained in their longest-held job compared to those who did not. Second, elderly workers in professional, managerial, administrative, and service/sales occupations experienced a significant increase in job satisfaction when they continued working in their longest-held job. On the other hand, for those employed in agriculture, forestry, fishery, craft/equipment operation, and elementary occupations, no significant relationship was found between continued engagement in the longest-held job and job satisfaction. These findings suggest the need to develop suitable employment opportunities and labor policies for the elderly, leveraging their lifetime work experience.