People who are eligible for employer-subsidized health benefits in retirement tend to retire earlier than people whose retirement health benefits (i.e., Medicare) don’t start until age 65, according to a new paper by economic researchers from Harvard, Towers Watson and elsewhere.

The research was undertaken to help policymakers predict the possible impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 on labor market participation by older, pre-Medicare workers. The PPACA allows Americans under age 65 to buy group health insurance at below-market rates. The findings suggested that the PPACA might encourage or facilitate earlier retirement.