Dissertation Explores Sociodemographic Influences on Early Retirement

Erica Robinson has successfully defended her doctoral dissertation, Understanding the Sociodemographic Correlates of Early Social Security Retirement, at the University of Texas at Arlington’s School of Social Work, completing her Ph.D. in Social Work.

Dr. Robinson earned a Bachelor of Arts and later pursued graduate study in social work, receiving competitive fellowships and traineeships. She has now added a doctorate to her list of accomplishments, building a research portfolio centered on equity, policy and retirement security.

Her dissertation focuses on early Social Security retirement—a decision that allows individuals to begin claiming benefits at age 62, even though full retirement age ranges from 65 to 67 depending on birth year. Early retirement provides smaller monthly payments spread out over more years, while delaying retirement increases monthly benefits. Robinson’s research examines how health, education, marital status, parental status and race and ethnicity shape women’s decisions about when to retire.

“I’m deeply interested in how public policies, often unintentionally, reinforce gender, racial and class inequities within the workforce and broader economy,” Robinson said. “Focusing on early Social Security retirement and its sociodemographic influences allows me to examine how life experiences—health, parenting, marital status, education and ethnicity or race—influence early Social Security retirement decisions among women.”

Erica Robinson poses for an official photo at the UTA School of Social Work

Her analysis, using data from the nationally recognized Health and Retirement Survey, revealed important patterns. “My research found that women who reported excellent or very good health, as well as those with educational attainment beyond high school, were more likely to claim Social Security retirement benefits early,” Robinson said. “These patterns were especially strong among Black, African American and White women, but less evident among Hispanic women and those from other racial groups.”

She also noted findings that challenged her expectations. “I was surprised that the combination of marital status and having children did not significantly impact early Social Security retirement decisions,” Robinson said. “For example, there were no notable differences in early claiming behavior between married women with children and other combinations of marital and parental status.”

For Robinson, the long-term implications of this work extend far beyond the classroom. “Women tend to live longer than men and earn less over their lifetimes, making them especially vulnerable in later life,” she said. “By highlighting how changing dynamics influence early Social Security decisions, I hope my research informs future studies and guides policymakers in designing retirement systems and workforce policies that better reflect the realities of women’s lives.”

Her dissertation chair, Dr. Rachel Voth Schrag, commended her scholarship and professional accomplishments. “Dr. Robinson has distinguished herself as the recipient of fellowships and traineeships from places like the University of Michigan, the University of Wisconsin, and the Texas Department of Transportation,” Voth Schrag said. “Her work paves the way for policy interventions which could better support Americans in old age, by recognizing differential impacts of Social Security retirement benefits across Americans.”

Reflecting on her doctoral journey, Robinson cited both academic milestones and community-building experiences. “Presenting my research at a national conference in Washington, D.C., securing a federal research grant to lead an independent study and collaborating with UTA’s EDGE Center to launch the inaugural writing accountability group for dissertators across disciplines were defining moments,” she said. “Among the most meaningful parts of my doctoral journey has been the relationships formed with my peers, connections that have enriched both my scholarship and personal growth.”

Now that she has completed her degree, Robinson is actively seeking her next professional opportunity. “My goal is to find a role where I can apply my research expertise to real-world challenges, whether as an assistant professor, researcher within academia, or as a research and data analyst in the public or private sector,” she said. “I’m especially passionate about advancing educational and economic equity.”

To future doctoral students, Robinson offers a piece of advice she carried from her first research supervisor: “Create a living roadmap for your doctoral journey. Don’t settle for a static to-do list—design a dynamic guide that reflects your big-picture goals, both academic and personal. When the inevitable challenges of the Ph.D. process arise, reconnecting with your purpose and passion will be your greatest source of resilience.”