Claims That Retirement Improves Health

The notion that retiring can benefit health has gone largely unexplored, though large proportions of retirees retrospectively claim improved health upon retirement. Although some of these claims may have a medical basis, it is more likely that retirees perceive that their health has improved due to the reduced role demands that may accompany retirement. This study used prospective data to compare men who claimed that retirement had a good effect on their health (n = 114) with men who claimed no effect of retirement on health (n = 149). Results showed that retrospective claims of good effects were not corroborated by a corresponding longitudinal, pre- to post-retirement improvement in self-reported health. Claims of good effects, however, were indeed more likely among men whose retirement entailed the reduction of prior job strain and role demands, thereby supporting the interpretation that such claims represent the enhancement of functional health status.