Retirement Research: A Narrative Review

This narrative review summarizes research on retirement published in 2024. Most of the studies are focused on late in life, voluntary retirements. In a few comparisons late life, voluntary retirements have had more positive effects than early, involuntary retirements. Studies on the effects of retirement include behavioral, emotional, cognitive and physical effects. Research is also reviewed on predictors /risk factors for retirement and buffers/protective factors for negative effects of retirement. The research on behavior changes following retirement includes a reduction in the use of medications and an increase in volunteering. The studies on emotional effects include an increase in quality of life and happiness and a decrease in loneliness and neuroticism but also an increase in depression. Research on cognitive effects includes executive function problems and greater risk for dementia. The physical effects research includes a decrease in sleep problems but an increase in biological age, frailty and a greater risk for mortality. The predictors/risk factors for retirement include female gender, less education and social support, and physical problems including poor health, disability and pain. The buffers/protective factors include education, health and mindfulness of the individual, and having a partner and available green space. Surprisingly, only one intervention study appeared in this literature which involved social support groups. Methodological limitations of this literature include the reliance on survey data and the confounding of retirement age and voluntary/involuntary retirement.