Retirees who do temporary or part-time work have fewer major diseases
|
A new US study suggests giving up work completely when retiring could be bad for your health
The US study of 12,189 people found retirees who did temporary or part-time work have fewer major diseases, and function better in day to day life.
People in the study were aged 51-61 at the beginning of the study, and were interviewed every two years over a six year period beginning in 1992 about their health, work, finances and life in retirement. They also took part in a mental health questionnaire.
The findings showed people who took on post-retirement jobs that were related to their previous careers reported better mental health than those who didn’t work in retirement. However, no mental health improvement was found in people who worked outside their career after retirement. Researchers believe this is because retirees who take on different jobs may have to adapt to a new work environment and as a result become more stressed.
Retirees with financial problems were more likely to work in a different field after they retired. Temporary or part-time work after retirement was defined as ‘bridge work’. Dr Kenneth Shultz who worked on the study says, ‘Choosing a suitable type of bridge employment will help retirees transition better into full retirement and in good physical and mental health’.
|
Win two anti-ageing beauty products by Judith Williams!