NATIONAL BUREAU OF ECONOMIC RESEARCH
NATIONAL BUREAU OF ECONOMIC RESEARCH

The Impact of Technological Change on Older Workers: Evidence from Data on Computer Use

Leora Friedberg

NBER Working Paper No. 8297*
Issued in May 2001
NBER Program(s):   CH    LS    PE

New technologies like computers alter skill requirements. This paper explores two related effects of computers on older workers, who use computers less. The evolution of computer use in the Current Population Survey suggests that impending retirement reduces the incentive of older workers to acquire new skills. The Health and Retirement Study shows, further, that computer users retire later than non-users. This may arise because computer users choose to retire later and also because workers planning later retirement choose to acquire computer skills. Instrumental variables estimates suggest that computer use directly lowers the probability of retirement.

*Published: Friedberg, Leora. "The Impact Of Technological Change On Older Workers: Evidence From Data On Computer Use," Industrial and Labor Relations Review, 2003, v56(3,Apr), 511-529.

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