Delaying a life milestone by just one year lowers your risk of dying by 11%
A longitudinal study of nearly 3,000 older adults makes a surprisingly strong statistical case that staying in the workforce longer — even just one more year — meaningfully extends your life.
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Delaying retirement by one year decreased the risk of death from any cause by 11%, despite lifestyle, health or social and demographic characteristics.”
Delaying retirement by one year decreased the risk of death from any cause by 11%, despite lifestyle, health or social and demographic characteristics.
The central finding quantifies an 11% mortality reduction from delaying retirement by just one year, regardless of individual circumstances.
In context
Despite several studies on the health impacts of retirement, few have looked at how it affects longevity and the risk of dying. Published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, a study of 2,956 older adults found that delaying retirement by one year decreased the risk of death from any cause by 11%, despite lifestyle, health or social and demographic characteristics. The researchers used data collected between 1992 and 2010 from the Health and Retirement Study, a study between the National Institute on Aging and the University of Michigan to “describe changes in life patterns through the retirement transition,” according to the study.
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Even unhealthy retirees who delayed retirement saw a 9% decrease in all-cause mortality risk — lower than the healthy group's 11%, but a significant reduction nonetheless.
Even unhealthy adults gain a meaningful 9% survival benefit from later retirement, broadening the study's relevance beyond healthy workers.
In context
From the healthy group, 466 retired before the average age of 62, while 483 retired later, around 67 years old. Meanwhile, the unhealthy group had around 252 early retirees at 61 years of age, and 297 late retirees after 68. Lower mortality rates were associated with both the healthy and unhealthy groups retiring later, but the unhealthy group only saw a 9% decrease in all-cause mortality risk. Despite the findings being consistent with previous investigations of Austrian, German, Greek, Swedish and US populations, the connection between retirement age and death isn’t well-understood.
retirees after 68. Lower mortality rates were associated with both the healthy and unhealthy groups retiring later, but the Even unhealthy group only retirees who delayed retirement saw a 9% decrease in all-cause mortality risk — lower than the healthy group's 11%, but a significant reduction nonetheless.
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Work is a key component of many people's identities, providing financial, social and cognitive resources — and retiring potentially takes those away, leading to stress, cognitive decline, anxiety and depression.
Proposes a mechanism linking work to identity and resources, explaining why losing it triggers health decline.
In context
Despite the findings being consistent with previous investigations of Austrian, German, Greek, Swedish and US populations, the connection between retirement age and death isn’t well-understood. One theory is that work is a key component of many people’s identities, providing financial, social and cognitive resources. Retiring potentially takes away those resources, leading to stress, cognitive decline, anxiety, depression and difficulty with daily activities. Delaying retirement while also adding in volunteer opportunities and social activities could stave off cognitive, mental and physical declines.
Work is a key component of many people's identities, providing financial, social and cognitive resources — and retiring potentially takes away those resources, away, leading to stress, cognitive decline, anxiety and depression.
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The study covered 2,956 older adults using Health and Retirement Study data from 1992 to 2010, tracking health conditions, family networks, finances and employment status.
In context
Published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, a study of 2,956 older adults found that delaying retirement by one year decreased the risk of death from any cause by 11%, despite lifestyle, health or social and demographic characteristics. The researchers used data collected between 1992 and 2010 from the Health and Retirement Study, a study between the National Institute on Aging and the University of Michigan to “describe changes in life patterns through the retirement transition,” according to the study.
The study of covered 2,956 older adults found that delaying retirement by one year decreased the risk of death from any cause by 11%, despite lifestyle, using Health or social and demographic characteristics. The researchers used Retirement Study data collected between from 1992 and to 2010, tracking health conditions, family networks, finances and employment status.
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As of June, 42% of sitting CEOs were age 60 or older — and a 2019 study suggests they may have the right idea about when to retire.
Anchors the article's relevance by connecting a real-world demographic trend to the 2019 research about to be introduced.
In context
However, one study shows that delaying a big life marker could actually have a big impact on how long you live. While more people are trending towards early retirement — Gen Z and millennials are even taking “mini-retirements” — there may be unexpected benefits to a prolonged working life. As of June, 42% of sitting CEOs were age 60 or older, and research from 2019 shows they may have the right idea about when to retire. Despite several studies on the health impacts of retirement, few have looked at how it affects longevity and the risk of dying.
As of June, 42% of sitting CEOs were age 60 or older — and research from a 2019 shows study suggests they may have the right idea about when to retire.
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