retirement and early death

I meant *heart problems! But heat can be difficult as well!

x

I can only speak from my own professional experience, but there is evidence that NHS dentists who worked full time until they were 65 were much more likely to die within 5 years of retirement than those who had worked until 60.

I'm not sure how much of that can be applied to the rest of the population, since there are so many variables in individual people's situations, but it seems to me an argument for not carrying on too long in a full-time, stressful occupation.

I think it depends entirely on how well fitted for retirement you just happen to be.

Some people have obsessions hobbies which get them out of the house and keep them in touch with other retirees. To others, work was everything. They can't always make the huge effort needed to make the necessary life changes.

And then there's the people, like me, to whom retirement doesn't mean a thing really, because we are doing exactly what we have done for the last forty-odd years, only for fewer people.

AND the latter group must ensure that they don't slip into a trough of laziness.

The last sentence there was addressed to me.

Jane logically isn't someone more likely to die between 65-70 than between 60-65 anyway

I ended up at a dinner dance for dentists some years ago, and asked where a good acquaintance was - only to be told that he had committed suicide, and that suicide was very common amongst dentists, along with depression and heart attacks shortly after retirement. When I asked why, I was told 'No dentist ever meets anyone who is genuinely happy to see them'. I'd never thought of it like that - a policeman friend told me the same thing.

Teachers used to be able to retire early, as they burnt out too quickly, but that no longer applies so I presume they will be having heart attacks whilst still working, as has happened to four men and women in DBH's school over the past four years, and as it has never happened before in the whole of the school's existence it does make you think. They were all in their late 50s, three men and one woman. It has hit DBH very hard.

anya I think the message was that those who retired at 60 were more likely to survive their 70th birthdays than those who retired at 65, if that makes sense.

My mother got the last laugh. She was a ward sister and worked in the days when she could have a higher salary but a reduced pension. She opted for the latter but died of a terminal illness less than 6 months of her retirement.

About 12 of my parents friends died fairly early but they smoked themselves to death.

I retired when I was 59 and a half, stayed at home for 6 months then I was offered a couple of part time occasional jobs which I enjoyed, using my previous qualifications so I was paid well, until I broke my ankle at 65 and really had to give up then. Anyway I wanted out but not quite using that excuse! I am now 72 and still going- I was not planning to be used as fertiliser just yet.

That is very worrying stillhere. My DD looks so strained at weekends. And she still has some sort of work to do. Marking, or lesson plans etc.

Stillhere my dad was a (very conscientious) teacher and died of a heart attack at 55.

In my OH's profession, the statistics were clear, retire at 65 or later, average life expectancy folloiwng retirement was only .... 18 months?
However, retiring at 60- average retirement of nearly 18 years- a no brainer. He retired at 61.

I retired at 71. I'm still around and pursuing interests, involved with GC and being lazy whenever I want to. I survived a heart attack in 1999 which devastated me for quite a while. I'm careful, but not overly so, and just try to enjoy life. DH has multiple health problems but we only focus on them when we have to. The biggest age related advantage I think is the freedom pass. I use it a lot for going to London but prefer to drive locally. We are so lucky to have this perk. Those of us who can take advantage of it. I know many live in rural areas with limited transport. So far I've never been offered a seat on the train, but I can cope with that. We get pub meal deals and top price theatre tickets greatly reduced. In tandem with the benefits, I know, go the painful knees, shoulders, and today in my case really bad neck but I still did my Pilates class and hope that'll keep me mobile a bit longer.
Soontobe, what you are seeing is just a coincidence. There are probably people in your area enjoying longevity too. Don't worry about perceived patterns or statistics, just enjoy life.

Can I ask what your OH's profession was granjura?
You obviously dont have to answer.
You may have said on gransnet many times before, but I struggle to remember everyones' occupation on here, let alone their OH's.

Bellanonna, I am not so much concerned for myself. Nor my husband particularly.
But I do know people, who other people are saying to me "watch out for him/her".

I happen to be in a position where some people would probably somewhat, in a small way, listen to me. But I am unsure what advice exactly to give.
That is partly because I am a few years younger than them. And partly because, although I think that it is probably sensible to cut down hours if a person can, leading up to retirement, I am unsure what the best advice is after someone has finished working.
Hence my dilemma and this thread.

Statistics can prove or disprove anything (try listening to More or Less on Radio 4) Remember "Lies, damn list and statistics"??

I think it is scaremongering to quote statistics about life expectancies of 18 months after retiring at 65 or whatever, especially when so many people will not be eligible for their state pension before the age of 67!

Genes, nutrition, lifestyle, socio-economic background, and yes, dammit, LUCK play a far greater part. (Actually quite cross about generalisations, spurious patterns or prophecies of doom.
We will all die sometime, let's not agonise over additional contributory factors.

P S soontobe I can't see what possible qualification you could have to give advice on, what, exactly?

That was "lies, damn lies and statistics" ( clearly my iPad has never heard of this)

I dont have qualifications Alea. Definitely I dont.

But we all know of many people who are reluctant to go to their doctor, but will listen to a group of people who they trust who are advising them.

But it is general conversation with people too. More and more, amongst the people I know, the subject of retirement is coming up in general talk.
And we do all listen to people dont we? And remember much of what they say? Even if we dont always take their advice, or take it right away.

*I think it is scaremongering to quote statistics about life expectancies of 18 months after retiring at 65 or whatever, especially when so many people will not be eligible for their state pension before the age of 67!

Genes, nutrition, lifestyle, socio-economic background, and yes, dammit, LUCK play a far greater part. (Actually quite cross about generalisations, spurious patterns or prophecies of doom.
We will all die sometime, let's not agonise over additional contributory factors.*

I call it having something to work on, to yes, even decide to retire earlier if possible and prudent.

A lot of people aren't in a position to choose when to retire, though.

If someone enjoys their job so much that they stay on after their official retirement age then I'd have thought they'd be less likely to die early than someone who retired as soon as they could and is now living an unproductive and lonely life.

Very true about the first part. And second too.
And I dont know how pensions work really, so I dont know how much that plays a part.

From what I can see, some people stay in their job even though it is stressful to them because

a.they think they can cope with anything that is thrown at them
b.they are very stubborn
c. dont like change
d. cant envisage what their own retirement would look like, so choose to carry on doing what they know
e.feel somewhat obligated to stay in post, when in reality, there are others who could probably do the job nearly as well

I think many men have a more difficult problem in adjusting after retirement than women. Maybe not so much now, but in my Dad's time their jobs were a major part of their identities. So that could lead to mental stress, or depression.
He was a solicitor, and after a short time feeling bored went back to the office part-time.
Another reason why some may die soon after reitrement is having to live full time with their other half

Alea I think GJ was referring to the same evidence as I was (doctors and dentists).
I didn't mean to scaremonger anyone ( is scaremonger a transitive verb I wonder? ) and I think such evidence is helpful to people in those profession, and may well be applicable to other occupations.
It was widely quoted at pre-retirement seminars and certainly informed my decision not to work full time after 60 and to try to reduce my stress levels in any way I could before retiring at 62.

But we all know of many people who are reluctant to go to their doctor, but will listen to a group of people who they trust who are advising them

Well I think that is an appalling prospect and for someone who on their own admission has no relevant qualifications, and I do not just mean in the professional sense, to give advice about retirement and health issues is downright irresponsible! You say;

I happen to be in a position where some people would somewhat, in a small way, listen to me. But I am unsure what advice exactly to give

That's easy then, DON'T!!!