Abstract
Socioeconomic conditions of the elderly have changed in Japan since the mid-1970s. Social Stratification and Mobility (SSM) data enables us to analyze changing statuses of males' aged 60 to 69. First, this paper explores who exits from labor force, using work history data. It is shown that employees of big companies or public sector tend to be out of labor force at age 60. This is more evident in 1995 than before. Second, income distributions of not working males are compared in 1975, 1985, and 1995. Their annual income in 1995 distributed around the amount of retirement pensions. Third, economic conditions are compared between the elderly males living with children and those not living with children. In 1995, retirement pension makes it possible that the elderly live without the support from children. This paper concludes that the Japanese elderly has transformed from a dependent being to an independent being since the mid-1970s. The implication of the above changes is also discussed.
