Alcohol consumption patterns before and after retirement: a longitudinal cohort study within the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe

INTRODUCTION: Retirement is a major life-course transition that can reshape health behaviors, including alcohol consumption. However, longitudinal evidence from large, cross-national cohorts remains scarce. METHODS: In this longitudinal cohort study, Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) waves 1-8 (2004-20) were merged, linking individual-level data from 8,998 adults aged ≥50 who were employed at baseline and retired during follow-up. Outcomes were: near-daily drinking; consumption of ≥8 alcohol units in the previous 7 days; and binge drinking (≥4-6 units on one occasion at least monthly). Time relative to retirement was grouped into nine periods (≥10 years before to ≥10 years after). Relative risks (RRs) with 95% CIs were estimated using generalized estimating equations adjusted for sex, age, geography, education, marital status, occupation, body-mass index, and chronic conditions. Data were analyzed in 2023-2024. RESULTS: At baseline, 18.1% drank almost daily, 18.7% consumed ≥8 units weekly, and 12.3% engaged in binge drinking. Compared with the retirement year, the risk of almost-daily drinking was lower 5-9 years before retirement (RR 0.86, 95%CI 0.78-0.95) but higher 3-4 years (1.12, 1.01-1.23), 5-9 years (1.18, 1.07-1.31), and ≥10 years (1.28, 1.11-1.48) after retirement. Weekly quantity did not change significantly. Binge-drinking risk was reduced both 5-9 years before (0.86, 0.77-0.95) and ≥10 years after retirement (0.78, 0.66-0.93). CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol use trajectories evolved both before and after retirement: near-daily drinking increased across the transition, binge drinking declined thereafter, and weekly volume remained broadly stable. Targeted counselling around retirement could reinforce moderation.