Retirement Poses Health Risks, New Study Suggests

Sharon Moore May 17, 2013

Whilst most people look at retirement as a great time to enjoy their hard-earned savings, travel the world and spend more time with their children and grandchildren, researchers found that it could cause a dramatic decline in their health too.

The research, carried out by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), a think tank based in London, in collaboration with the Age Endeavour Fellowship, a charity, compared retired people to those who have continued working even after reaching their retirement age.

Researchers found that retirement leads to a drastic decline in health. Specifically, it increases the likelihood of depression by 40 per cent and physical illness by 60 per cent, regardless of gender.

How does retirement affect health in elderly?

Loneliness – whilst retirement could mean having more time to engage in recreational activities, for other people it is one of the loneliest moments in their life. One in five of the elderly population experiences depression, according to the Mental Health Foundation. Older adults who are living away from their families and friends or those who have gone through a divorce are more at risk of mental illness.

Immobility and inactivity – Quitting from work gives many people a great opportunity to stay in bed for longer periods of time, watch TV and just do nothing. But lack of physical activity significantly increases the risk of mental and physical health problems. Older adults are encouraged to exercise regularly to boost their mood and immunity.

Age-related disease – ageing is a crucial factor for many diseases, including weak heart, respiratory disorder, complications of type 2 diabetes, and cancer. 3 out of 5 cancers occur in people aged 65 and over. Furthermore, over a third of the older population are diagnosed with cancer at the age of 75 and above. Dementia is another illness that is commonly diagnosed in retired people.

"Working longer will not only be an economic necessity, it also helps people live healthier lives," said Philip Booth, programme director at the IEA. He argued that the government should deregulate labour markets and allow people to work for longer. Edward Datnow from the Age Endeavour Fellowship shares the same sentiment with Booth. According to him, there should be no normal ‘retirement age’ in the future.

Sources of this article:

Retirement ’harmful to health’, study says

Why retirement can be bad for your health