Posted on 01/30/2018 7:23:01 AM PST by SeekAndFind
Research shows a link, but it isn’t retirement itself that leads to a longer life, but what you do in retirement.
You may not need another reason to retire early, but I’ll give you one anyway: It could lengthen your life.
That’s the thrust from various research in recent years, and also from a 2017 study in the journal Health Economics.
In that study, Hans Bloemen, Stefan Hochguertel and Jochem Zweerink — all economists from the Netherlands — looked at what happened when, in 2005, some Dutch civil servants could temporarily qualify for early retirement.
Only those at least 55 years old and with at least 10 years of continuous service with contributions to the public sector pension fund were eligible. Men responding to the early retirement offer were 2.6 percentage points less likely to die over the next five years than those who did not retire early. (Too few women met the early retirement eligibility criteria to be included in the study.)
The Dutch study echoes those from other countries. An analysis in the United States found about seven years of retirement can be as good for health as reducing the chance of getting a serious disease (like diabetes or heart conditions) by 20 percent. Positive health effects of retirement have also been found by studies using data from Israel, England, Germany and other European countries.
That retirement promotes health and prolongs life isn’t obvious. After all, work provides income and, for some, health insurance — both helpful for maintenance of well-being. It also can provide purpose and camaraderie. Evidence is mounting that loneliness and social isolation are linked to illness, cognitive decline and death. One study of American retirees found them less likely to be lonely or depressed.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Oh boy. Some deep, deep thinking by the geniuses at the NYT here.
They are talking about 55 year olds, but that’s European under their screwy metric system. Does anyone know what 55 metric years are in US years?
When I retired from the US Army, they told me that senior NCOs and senior Officers were expected to have a five year life expectancy. This was because so may sat down in front of the TV to rest for a few days, and never got moving again. Weight ballooned, heart rate went to hell, and they just died.
This was a while ago, so I am not sure what it is these days. But the ones who got a second life career, lived amazingly productive lives.
I will be performing my third career soon, and I am enjoying my life as only God can make possible.
The older I get the more I realize that it is genetics that determine your health and longevity. Yes, other factors are involved but the family history comes first.
Or become a US Senator and enjoy a perk filled lucrative retirement with just a little occasional work at the Washington, DC Country Club and leave in the stiff, horizontal position. Then you can have highways, bridges, buildings and maybe a battleship named after your sorry ash legacy.
Like most of these “studies” they confuse cause and correlation. Also, they don’t attempt to measure several important factors.
A person may retire early because of bad health. Some stay on their jobs for health benefits because of bad health. A person may retire because he cannot find work. Some are happy to have the time off. Some would rather be productive, if only part-time. Leaving a stressful job is beneficial. Leaving a job that one liked can be stressful.
Enough with the “studies.”
One of my grandmothers never worked and lived to be 106.
So much for the “liberated new woman”....they get to work and die young...
Yes, my grandmother lived to 92. Never worked outside the house. I think not having to report to a boss, not having to deal with nutty co-workers, not having that subway commute (you know, my family are all NYers) is good for the health.
Thanks for your personal report. I’m staring down the barrel of voluntary retirement in a couple of years. I workout regularly and am healthy as a horse, but I am increasingly looking forward to doing some second career. I don’t know what, maybe a greater at a local Walmart, but I look forward to changing from the grind of daily punching the clock to something else, but we gotta get our kids out of college. So, yeah, Retire, but use what God has given you to the fullest.
That’s no way to talk about McCain!
Don’t work at Walmart. You’ll be chasing down thieves and greeting the nasty Third World all day long.
Retired at age 51 at the end of 1994....still happy and still a good choice.
I got out of the military and came back into the DoD filling slots out in Embassies and offices around the world. Did several tours in AFG and IRQ. Am working in an embassy in Africa.
I have reached the fifteen year mark and have decided I want to return to Africa as a missionary. Once I get back to DC, I am going to start the paperwork for early retirement, take whatever cuts they deem, then prepare to return.
I have one child left at home and he does not seem to be too HUAH about the move.
I don’t speak for their study but it certainly worked for my Dad and now for me. He retired at age 55 and I was able to at age 56, he lived a very active life til 90 including extensive volunteer service to veterans organizations, state offices, national conventions, etc. as well as some part-time work, and uncountable projects and hours in his shop working on things for himself and friends and family.
There is no one “think” but good health, diet, exercise, lack of bad habits, plenty of time outdoors, and a balance of work and fun makes retirement the best time of life. When you realize as my dad did that you’ve been retired and doing what YOU want longer than you spent working, it’s quite a great feeling. Unfortunately one that many will never have a chance to experience, mostly due to factors within their control.
I’m almost 70 and plan to retire in 2-3 years, and I am deathly afraid that I will sit in front of a TV and rot there.
Therefore, I am preparing. Not by having a second career, when I retire, I ant to be retired, but by developing some new hobbies. For instance, I have been taking trumpet lessons, and only last night I decided to join a community band and start playing with others. Had a blast.
My ambition is to get good enough to join the church orcchestra
Agreed. If being exposed to every type of active virus appeals to you, by all means be a Walmart greeter. I take enough risks with the occasional visits to their stores as a customer.
See, that’s the great thing. I carry. And, at that point I will no longer care if they fire me. :)
You’re going to blast away in Walmart? This will not get you a raise to $11.00 an hour.
I won't have that problem. I hate TV.
In all seriousness, I am asking God what He would have me do. I want to ensure that when I pass I will have done all that was required of me and that I invested wisely all that was entrusted to me.
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