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Happier by continuing to work
Find out why older workers are happier when they stay at work longer, according to a study. New insights into retirement and life satisfaction. #Work #Retirement #Life satisfaction
Happier by continuing to work
More and more older workers are counting down the days until they retire. However, a new study shows that people who continue working into early retirement are often happier. The study, which was carried out by the employer-related Institute of the German Economy (IW), revealed that, according to the analysis, the 'silver workers', i.e. employed 66 to 70-year-olds, in particular feel great satisfaction. This suggests that social contacts maintained through work make a significant contribution to life satisfaction in old age, while financial reasons are less important.
The IW emphasizes that a workplace offers the opportunity to maintain social interactions, organize joint activities and thus create a feeling of community that is often missing in retirement. The loss of a structured daily routine and the need to find a new routine after retirement can lead to feelings of dissatisfaction. This is particularly evident among unemployed 61- to 65-year-olds, for whom life satisfaction is statistically the lowest.
The discussion about a later retirement age is becoming increasingly important. Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) is in favor of extending working lives and emphasizes the need for individual pensions and financial incentives for longer working hours. However, other studies warn of the potentially fatal consequences of staying in the professional environment for too long in seniors. Research from universities in Barcelona and Mannheim suggests that later retirement in industries with high physical or psychological stress can lead to lower life expectancy. This underlines the need to take seriously the individual needs and burdens of workers in old age in order to preserve their quality of life.
The debate about the optimal balance between work, pension and satisfaction is ongoing and continues to require in-depth research to support long-term political decisions. Despite varying study results, it is clear that the needs and burdens of older workers must be taken seriously to ensure their quality of life and satisfaction.