Graduation Semester and Year
Summer 2025
Language
English
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work
Department
Social Work
First Advisor
Dr. Rachel Voth Schrag, LCSW Ph.D.
Abstract
Using data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a nationally representative sample of Americans aged 50 and older, this study employed logistic regression analysis guided by intersectionality theory and the Intersectionality-Based Policy Analysis (IBPA) framework to examine the influence of marital status, ever having children, educational attainment, self-reported health, and race/ethnicity on receiving Social Security retirement benefits early (before reaching the Social Security Administration’s full retirement age (FRA)) among women. Individuals’ monthly and total lifetime Social Security retirement amounts, as well as longevity, are influenced by when they begin receiving Social Security retirement payments. Findings revealed that reporting excellent/ very good health and having higher educational attainment were significantly associated with being less likely to receive Social Security retirement benefits early. These effects were particularly pronounced among Black/African American and White women. However, marital status and having children did not show statistically significant effects on early Social Security retirement. Interaction effects between health and other sociodemographic variables were not statistically significant, though directional trends suggested that healthier never-married women with children may be less likely to retire early. These results highlight the importance of health and education in shaping retirement decisions and suggest that their influence varies across racial and ethnic groups. By applying an intersectional lens to quantitative analysis, this study contributes to the growing body of literature on the impact of diverse life experiences on retirement patterns and underscores the need for Social Security policy reforms that account for women’s varied social and economic realities.
Keywords
Early social security retirement, Health, Education, Intersectionality-based policy analysis (IBPA), Women
Disciplines
Social Work
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Robinson, Erica D., "Understanding The Sociodemographic Correlates of Early Social Security Retirement" (2025). Social Work Dissertations. 196.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/socialwork_dissertations/196
Comments
Acknowledgements
As I submit this dissertation in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work at The University of Texas at Arlington, I am filled with profound gratitude. Beginning this journey during the COVID-19 pandemic tested my commitment to social justice and research in ways I never anticipated. This achievement is a reflection of the collective encouragement and support I received from many people along the way.
Academic Mentors & Committee
I extend my deepest thanks to my academic village, mentors, and dissertation committee for their unwavering guidance. Your mentorship has been instrumental to my scholarly and personal growth.
I am especially grateful to the Social Work faculty at The University of Texas at Arlington who served as my research supervisors: Dr. Catherine LaBrenz, Dr. Jandel Crutchfield, Dr. Danielle Herrell, and Dr. Hui Huang. I also thank Dr. Debra Woody for her leadership as Chair of my exam committee.
To my dissertation committee—Dr. Rachel Voth Schrag (Chair), Dr. Danielle Herrell, Dr. Hui Huang, Dr. Ling Xu, and Dr. Fenaba Addo (external member), thank you for your transformative impact and thoughtful guidance throughout this process.
A special thank you to Dr. Tawandra Rowell-Cunsolo, my Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) paired mentor, for being a source of encouragement throughout my PhD journey.
Institutional Support
I am grateful for the consistent support from my writing accountability partners, the UTA EDGE Center, and the UTA School of Social Work staff. I also wish to thank the Junior Scholar Intensive Training (JSIT) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, in collaboration with Howard University, for helping me refine my dissertation topic.
Family & Friends
To my family and friends, thank you for your constant love and encouragement, which sustained me on this journey.
Mom, Carolyn Robinson, and Dad, Michael Robinson, thank you for your unwavering support. To my older sister, Dr. Nedra D. Robinson, thank you for paving the way. To my younger brother, Michael D.L. Robinson, your determination and perseverance continue to inspire me.
To my nieces and nephew, Jireh Faith, Sonni Ciel, and Juda Thaddeus, Auntie loves you and is already so proud of you.
Finally, to my friends, Angela White and Dr. Anthony Johnson, thank you for providing social outlets and breaks from the work.