The mortality experience of early old-age and disability pensioners from unskilled- and semiskilled labour groups in Fredericia.

Survival of early old-age and disability pensioners from unskilled and semiskilled labourers was compared with the employed workers from the same local trade union. All members receiving early old-age or disability pensions during the period October 1, 1969 to September 30, 1973 were assigned to the index group provided they were still alive September 30, 1973. 2 active workers were selected as controls for each pensioner according to the closest age match. The pensioners had about 7 times higher mortality risk than their active fellow workers in the follow-up period from September 30, 1973 to January 1, 1979. It is emphasized that proper comparison is needed if excess mortality associated with early retirement is to be estimated.