What makes for a happy retirement? The answer differs from person to person, but those who say their golden years are joyous tend to share some behaviors.
Recently, insurer MassMutual surveyed 2,000 U.S. retirees and pre-retirees and asked them various questions about retirement. The retirees in the survey who were happiest reported the following practices.
6. They prepared for retirement by taking care of their health
The share of retirees who are much happier in retirement who did this: 49% (versus 32% of those who are not happier in retirement)
As we age, our bodies tend to break down.
While you cannot completely halt that process, you can delay it — and even prevent some deterioration altogether — by taking good care of your health. That means eating right, exercising, getting plenty of sleep and seeing the doctor when it’s warranted.
As the retirees note, that process should begin long before you enter your golden years.
5. They prepared for retirement by paying down debt
The share of retirees who are much happier in retirement who did this: 61% (versus 48% of those who are not happier in retirement)
Large amounts of debt can bring your lofty retirement dreams crashing back to earth. It can be difficult to impossible to enjoy a happy retirement full of bucket-list adventures if debt is weighing you down.
So, try to get out of the red before those steady paychecks stop rolling in. Money Talks News founder Stacy Johnson offers some tips for doing so in the podcast “10 Steps to Get Out of Debt Now and Stay Out of Debt Forever.”
4. They travel
The share of retirees who are much happier in retirement who do this: 62% (versus 44% of those who are not happier in retirement)
Traditionally, travel has been the cornerstone of many retirement dreams. And indeed, globetrotting retirees tend to be happier than their stationary peers.
Not sure where to go? Explore “20 Great Retirement Travel Ideas.”
3. They pursue hobbies
The share of retirees who are much happier in retirement who do this: 63% (versus 44% of those who are not happier in retirement)
Some people nearing retirement contemplate all that endless free time and shudder. But retirees who have hobbies are more likely to while away all those newly freed up hours in a state of bliss.
2. They exercise
The share of retirees who are much happier in retirement who do this: 70% (versus 47% of those who are not happier in retirement)
Some people dream of retirement as a time to kick up their feet and relax after decades of toiling at work.
As it turns out, that might be a recipe for misery: Retirees who exercise tend to be happier than those who do not.
The health benefits of exercise can also be remarkable, as we note in “Just 6 Minutes of This Type of Exercise May Boost Your Brain.”
1. They spend time with loved ones
The share of retirees who are much happier in retirement who do this: 76% (versus 58% of those who are not happier in retirement)
It’s a pretty safe bet that during your working years, spending time with family and friends was your greatest source of joy.
Nothing changes in retirement: Those who keep their social ties strong are much happier during their post-work years than those who do not.
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