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💊 Health Risks of Retirement

💊 Health Risks of Retirement

and what to do to evade it

Michael Wight, Trajan King & Jason Phillips
February 11, 2025

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Retirement Download

Strategies for a successful retirement

The Hidden Health Risks of Retirement

Beyond financial concerns, scientific research suggests that retirement can have negative health consequences. A study from the Harvard School of Public Health found that retirees face a 40% higher risk of heart attack or stroke compared to those who remain employed. Similar findings have linked retirement to increased rates of cardiovascular disease and cancer.

A recent analysis of workers in China’s pension system revealed that early retirement accelerates cognitive decline in some individuals, raising the risk of dementia. Meanwhile, the CDC reports that depression and anxiety are more prevalent among older adults, particularly those no longer in the workforce. In fact, nearly one-third of retirees experience depression after leaving full-time work.

Understanding the Root Cause

Determining whether retirement directly causes health issues isn’t simple. Many retire due to declining health, making it easy to assume that stepping away from work is the problem. But is it retirement itself—or something else?

One key factor is isolation. Leaving the workforce, whether by choice or necessity, often results in the loss of routines, professional identity, and social connections. Research shows that nearly a quarter of adults over 65 are socially isolated. A report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) linked isolation to the same health risks often attributed to retirement:

50% higher risk of dementia
29% greater likelihood of heart disease
32% increased risk of stroke
Higher rates of depression and anxiety

In reality, many retirees don’t suffer poor health simply because they stopped working. Instead, it’s the loneliness and lack of social engagement that take a toll.

The Power of Purpose

So how can retirees protect their well-being? Experts suggest the key is finding a renewed sense of purpose.

“Especially when transitioning out of the work world, I tell my patients to find their ikigai,” says Angela Hsu, MD, a geriatrician with the Permanente Medical Group.

Ikigai (pronounced e-key-ga-e) is a Japanese term meaning “reason for being.” It represents the activities and passions that bring fulfillment and inspire a meaningful life.

This advice is backed by a 2023 study of more than 2,300 Swiss adults, published in Psychology and Aging, which found that people with a strong sense of purpose experienced significantly less loneliness, regardless of age. Research compiled in The Science of Purpose reinforces these findings, showing that individuals with a sense of purpose:

Have 32% fewer doctor’s visits
Report 42% greater happiness
Live, on average, seven years longer

Similarly, a study in The International Journal of Aging and Human Development concluded that having a clear purpose is linked to better overall health and well-being.

A Major Life Transition

Retirement ranks among life’s most stressful events, coming in 10th on the scale of significant life changes.

The shift can be particularly jarring for those leaving high-powered careers. Social commentator David Brooks describes two mindsets that shape a meaningful life. The first is career logic, which revolves around achievement, strategy, and personal ambition. The second, which often emerges in retirement, is gift logic—a perspective focused on relationships, service, and deeper meaning.

This transition forces retirees to confront fundamental questions: Who am I now? What do I truly want? Do I still matter? How do I find purpose?

Finding Purpose in Retirement

For some, redefining purpose is a challenge. Nearly a quarter of retirees (23%) report struggling to find meaning in their post-career lives.

Others embrace the transition, making what researchers call “course corrections” to maintain a sense of purpose. A 2023 survey found that 34% of retirees’s biggest adjustment was reconnecting with old friends. Other impactful changes included engaging in faith-based or spiritual practices and seeking new experiences through travel.

But the action that had the greatest positive impact was adopting a pet—a reminder that purpose doesn’t have to be grand or world-changing. It just needs to be personally meaningful.