Men Who Work in Retirement Seem Happier
Category: Health and Wellness Issues
Sept.30, 2025 – It seems counterintuitive – so many people really look forward to their retirement. Yet when they finally get there, many not only keep working, but they seem happier than their non-working peers. That is the suggestion from a recent study published in the Journal of Happiness Studies.
The finding applies to men more than women. Working post-retirement age is related to women’s satisfaction only if it is in lucrative occupations, and is not related to emotional well-being. It doesn’t seem to matter to people with higher or lower incomes. Even part time work seems to create more happiness than no job at all. Volunteer work can have the same positive effect.
Work doesn’t necessarily have to be for pay, and it could be a hobby. The photo below shows the work of a model town created by a Shed in Adair, Ireland. The group of men meet several times a week to socialize on a work of projects.
Benefits of Working Past Retirement
The study suggests a variety of reasons why men who work in retirement display higher levels of happiness than those who are not working:
Men are conditioned by society to believe they are the providers.
Work can be conducive to both mental and physical health.
Having a job and responsibilities gives people a purpose.
Part time work, or a new kind of job, can ease the transition from employment to retirement.
Men tend to have fewer social connections outside of work, so those with a job have more interactions.
Economic necessity is usually the reason why lower earners work in retirement. Those who have higher incomes are more likely to be motivated by personal satisfaction with their work, along with a good paying job.
Comments: Are you working past when what you thought would be your retirement age? If so, what kind of work are you doing? Do you think it gives you more satisfaction than not retiring. Let us know in the Comments section below.
Comments on "Men Who Work in Retirement Seem Happier"
Larry says:
Although I started a modest business, after I retired, that has made me happy, anything that stimulates your brain will have the same effect. Before and during this past baseball season, I “managed” a fantasy baseball team and loved conducting many hours of research and making decisions about players. It has been a lot of fun. And I have served on the board of a social welfare organization that supports children and families since before I retired 20 years ago. Few things make me happier.
RichPB says:
I think it will depend on how you define "work". Working for the man or being self-employed is clear. But we've been retired 22 years this month. I've noted before that we retired earlier than planned due to what had become continued dissatisfaction with each of our employment situations (after more than 20 years with our employers). That led to "retiring on a shoestring" and thus planning to work part-time. Neither of us ever got that part-time job. My wife found great happiness in volunteering and supporting organizations she believes in. For 5 years, I tried my own business. Satisfying, but not financially successful. And from the start, I accepted that we would need to do the household/property chores and upkeep. I consider that work. I've painted the house, self-managed our investments, built large surrounding decks, labored to complete major landscape work by hand and so on. Mostly stuff that "had to" be done -- but not on our budget. Aging has halted a lot of that. (Observation: Surprise! You probably can't physically do at 77 all that you could do at 55 or before.). But I'm still doing woodworking, still mowing (a much smaller, level lawn), and still doing less the strenuous tasks that many would prefer to hire out. So, from my perspective, I have continued to "work". You can call it "hobby" if you want, but if it HAS TO be done, that's not a hobby in my book. However, it does fit with the pretty standard advice for new retirees to be sure to have enough interests to keep you mentally and physically involved. Whether work or hobby, I've been grateful that our investments and my work have allowed us to enjoy retirement and to put ourselves in a better (good) place financially. (Yes, though I don't agree, I have been called a workaholic. ?)
Admin says:
Great points. Work can be a lot of things - with purpose key to that. Check out this article about Sheds, a movement for men that helps them stay in contact with people and so fun projects too.
https://www.topretirements.com/blog/want-to-be-a-shedder-australian-phenomenon-a-great-boon-for-retirees/
JCarol says:
At age 65, my husband and I reconfigured and considerably pared down our small business with plans to close it entirely when we were both 70 (max SS age). We're now 73 and have no plans to close it anytime soon.
When setting it up for semi-retirement eight years ago, we eliminated the big financial sucks (employees, warehouse overhead, ongoing inventory), happiness sucks (the difficult customers), time sucks (commuting), and physically demanding aspects.
We work from home, and our time is mostly our own. Long-trusted contractors manufacture our custom goods, and we wholesale on a make-to-order basis for a couple of fair-sized, local specialty retailers. When approached by similar retailers we firmly but graciously decline offers to meet. We're in a sweet spot and have no interest in taking on more business.
Business profits plus SS cover our needs and then some. We enjoy nice (but not extravagant) vacations, continue plumping our retirement nest egg, and have a relaxed attitude about finances.
Most of the year we each work about six hours a week. Perhaps four (non-consecutive) weeks a year we each put in 20-24 hours.
I don't look forward to full retirement. Our business keeps us in the working world and allows us to remain engaged in an industry we enjoy. We're extremely fortunate. I wish all retirees who desire to semi-retire had the opportunity to perfectly configure their employment.
RichPB says:
JCarol. Bravo! In my past life as career counselor, one of the most important considerations when considering retirement was that, if you love your job, why would you want to totally abandon it?
Armin says:
I have the best pharmacist job I have had in 42 years right now. I love my team and my patients. I have no plans for retirement. Life is terrific! Stay healthy in mind and body and keep moving forward! 66 and enjoy my work.