Exploring the anticipated impact of assistive exoskeletons on older workers’ retirement intentions: a survey study

Worker assistive technologies such as exoskeletons may help older adults work longer by supporting their physical capabilities and and helping them meet job demands. This exploratory survey examined whether older manual labor workers’ retirement intentions would change if exoskeletons were hypothetically available at work. Thirty-four workers aged 55 and older reported their expected and desired retirement ages before and after learning about exoskeletons and their benefits. Participants expected and desired to retire later if exoskeletons were available. Those anticipating delayed retirement reported lower occupational self-efficacy, work ability, and overall health, suggesting that workers less confident in their capabilities perceived greater benefit. Attitudes toward aging, retirement, and job involvement were unrelated to these changes. Notably, workers unfamiliar with exoskeletons tended to expect greater extensions of working life than those familiar with them, a non-significant trend consistent with a possible novelty effect. Although based on a hypothetical scenario and a small sample, the findings suggest that exoskeletons could support older workers' willingness to remain employed, especially those experiencing declined work ability. Findings also highlight the importance of workers' perceptions of their own abilities and of potential novelty effects when implementing assistive technologies.