A recent study from the United States has found that working longer can actually lead to a longer life. The study focused on the transition from active employment to retirement and found that delaying retirement had a positive impact on life expectancy. For every additional year of work, the risk of premature death decreased by 11%. This raises the question: does staying active really keep us young?
While our life expectancy continues to increase, the reasons behind this trend are not fully understood. Genetics and lifestyle both play a role, but many questions remain unanswered about the effects of different lifestyles. Chenkai Wu and his colleagues at Oregon State University in Corvallis decided to investigate the impact of retirement on life expectancy. They analyzed data from a large-scale study of 2,956 US citizens to determine the relationship between retirement and mortality. The study controlled for various factors, including health status and income, to ensure the reliability of the results.
The findings were surprising yet clear: a longer working life leads to a longer life overall. “Among healthy retirees, one additional year of age at retirement is associated with an 11% lower risk of all-cause mortality,” the study authors explained. The results were similar for retirees in poor health. While the study sheds light on the connection between work and life expectancy, there is still much to learn about the lifestyles, health, and well-being of retirees. However, the study does confirm the belief that an active lifestyle can have a life-extending effect. Those who live more actively, work longer, and retire later may enjoy a longer life.
