Unveiling the role of work characteristics before retirement in cognitive functions among retirees: evidence from Taiwan's Health and Retirement Study.

Cognitive function is a critical health indicator of older adults in later life. However, previous research has paid less attention to the impact of pre-retirement work-related characteristics on cognitive functions, especially in Asia. Thus, this study aims to examine the relationship between work-related factors and cognitive functions of the retired population, using Taiwan as an example. We analyzed data from the Taiwan Health and Retirement Study conducted by the Health City Research Center of the National Cheng Kung University. The final valid sample consisted of 2,897 public servants and labor insurance retirees between the ages of 50 and 74 years in Taiwan. Six work-related factors were examined, and the Saint Louis University Mental Status scale was used to assess cognitive functions. After controlling for other covariates, work-related factors such as pre-retirement occupation, pre-retirement work stress, and continuing to work after retirement were significantly associated with increased cognitive scores after retirement. When stratified by level of education, continuing to work after retirement was a protective factor for those retirees with higher education levels. By contrast, pre-retirement job content negatively affected the cognitive functions of the retirees with low education levels. Our findings highlight the need for tailored policies that account for educational and occupational disparities among retirees. Promoting post-retirement working opportunities and strengthening occupational health protections - especially for lower-educated workers - may help mitigate cognitive decline in aging populations.