Most Americans Keep Working in Retirement

by Michael Z
(CA)

Most working Americans want to keep working when they retire.

Regardless of their economic condition, 4 out of 10 people want to keep working primarily because they enjoy what they do. Another 30 percent say they need to keep working because they will need the money.

The fact is falling home values, value declines in 401 Ks and other retirement accounts are forcing many Americans to re-evaluate their needs. The sad truth is more than half of those now retired are concerned about money and wish they had saved more for retirement.

Those who are in their forties and fifties are reassessing their thinking and serious considering delaying their retirement so they can better maintain the lifestyle they have.

This economy has also upset the plans of those who expected to retire soon. Forty percent of these people are postponing their retirement.

A survey, published by The Business Journal in Youngstown, Ohio, gives us a slight glimpse into the stress that is taking place for those nearing retirement.

In fact, the headline for an article recently published in the NY Times reads, For a Healthy Retirement, Keep Working. The article reports on recent research projects that showed people who work full or part-time after retirement enjoy better health.

One of the primary factors in living a healthy retirement is to maintain or establish social networks. It is easy to feel isolated at home: just ask any mother taking care of a 6-month old baby. It can be a rewarding but a lonely time.

Many people avoid retirement because they have created most of their entire social network at their office or place of work. Once they leave their job or business the thought of getting around in what will probably be an expanded world and the task of creating other networks may be overwhelming.

A study out of the University of Maryland found that men and women who kept working after retirement had fewer major diseases or disabilities than those who quit work.

Published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, data was from 12,200 men and women over a 6 year period. Participants ranged in age from 51 to 61. This study, which controlled for health before retirement, found that post-retirement work had a positive effect on health whether the work was part time or full time. The report also said retirees should not take just any job. Those who took jobs that were closely related to their previous careers had the best mental health.

Many who are approaching retirement age are also seeking different approaches to continuing their career such as giving their profession or their business an internet presence. Some have also selected a life long hobby as their next career.

A small percentage have started a blog, set up Facebook pages, and are working on their websites. Some are teaching classes over the internet using teleseminars and earning income for these classes.

The internet offers options for continuing careers, changing careers and starting new businesses that were unavailable to retirees just a few years ago.

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