RealClearMarkets links to a USA Today article by investment guru Ken Fisher who offers excellent (in my view) advice to retirees. The short version is don’t leave a job you like unless you have something else you really like to do afterwards.
A slightly longer version is to retire out of a job you don’t like, because it isn’t contributing to a longer life. What helps retirees live longer, Fisher opines, is having something they love to do that takes up a fair amount of time and gives their life meaning. People who don’t know what to do with their time end up bored and probably die sooner than necessary.
I have friends for whom playing contract bridge at a highly skilled level provides that structure. They accumulate points toward various levels of honor among bridge players, plan ahead to attend competitive events, and study the intricacies of the game.
Others do wood working or crochet or garden or, in my case, COTTonLINE. What you do isn’t the key, whether you can really get involved with it and let it structure your days is what’s important. He believes, and I agree, we humans need a reason to get up and get moving.
BTW, I’m guessing the low unemployment levels we’re currently experiencing will have beneficial effects on our health and longevity. In most cases, working is healthier than being unemployed, even if you don’t love your job.
