Research conducted on information gathered from a government program that allowed early retirement at the age of 55, suggests leaving the work behind and retiring early may result in a longer life, according to US News in “Could an Early Retirement Help You Live Longer?”
An earlier piece of research published by the University of Wisconsin System showed that people who had more leisure time in retirement used it to adopt healthy habits, such as more exercise and stopping smoking. Another positive factor for early retirement and longer lifespans is the reduction of stress, particularly for people in pressurized professions.
Unfortunately, it’s not always that simple. The circumstances under which someone retires may have a lot to do with overall health. Their lifespan is likely to be related to how they spend their newly found free time, once they leave the workplace.
Just as there are studies that show a connection between early retirement and longer life expectancy, there are also studies that show just the opposite. People who are forced into an early retirement because of a layoff, may not feel the same way as people who retire early so they can pursue their passions. People who retire because of health issues, could die prematurely for reasons that have nothing to do with their employment status.
A key finding was that a purpose in retirement is paramount for health and happiness. Rather than devoting time worrying about your lifespan, focus on making sure that your time is being well-spent. Start by defining new milestones for your life and look internally to understand what you want out of your retirement years, rather than basing your goals on any pre-conceived notions of what you “should” be doing.
An estate planning attorney can advise you in creating an estate plan that fits your unique circumstances and may include early retirement.
Reference: US News (June 21, 2018) “Could an Early Retirement Help You Live Longer?”
