Early retirement, has this been discussed?

Thumbs_Up

Another thing about early retirement. Speaking to my brother over the weekend about this. He has slight arthritis in one knee and ankle issues. Now he was taking medication/steroids for the pain but it never really fixed the problem while he was working. Since retired (being at home) for 2 years he thinks the problems have gone away.

The problem is he has benefited in one way but lost out in another – he has a fat belly..

Thumbs_Up

Forgot to add he's no longer taking medication.

blue.peter

Retirement at any age - if you can afford it - can certainly have health benefits. Obviously, the earlier you can retire, the longer you'll have any such benefits. I retired at 56, and have found life noticeably less stressful. In my case, the big health benefit has been a huge reduction in the frequency with which I get migraines.

I do hope that your brother consulted his GP before stopping taking his medication.

lisyloo

My husband has a bad bad.
we go swimming twice a week.
I would recommend finding some suitable exercise such as swimming.
there might be some elliptical trainers that are low impact or he could find a personal trainer.
im sure there would be some form of exercise he could do - even from sitting.

Dizee123

Since my early retirement 6 months ago I have found that I sleep much better as I have less stress and worry about work issues.
I have gone from 2-4 hours sleep most nights to at least 6 hours most nights - this wasn't instant and has taken a few months.  There is still the odd night when it all goes wrong and I am awake much of the night, but not having to perform at work the next day is a huge plus and I just get up and do something like reading or crosswords until I eventually drop off.

triplea35

I found this article interesting : https://www.helpguide.org/articles/aging-issues/adjusting-to-retirement.htm

'One ongoing study found that retired people, especially those in the first year of retirement, are about 40 percent more likely to experience a heart attack or stroke than those who keep working'.

At 65 I am still working pretty much full time and intend to continue beyond SP age, though I will cut down my hours. Not due to financial concerns or increased fear of mortality if I do retire!

missile

One ongoing study found that retired people, especially those in the first year of retirement, are about 40 percent more likely to experience a heart attack or stroke than those who keep working'.
Really?

If you look you will easily find others which finds the opposite 
"You can live longer if you retire early, research shows—here’s why. Retiring early can actually lengthen your life, economists from the University of Amsterdam affirmed in a 2017 study published in the journal of Health and Economics"
link

triplea35

missile said:

One ongoing study found that retired people, especially those in the first year of retirement, are about 40 percent more likely to experience a heart attack or stroke than those who keep working'.
Really?

If you look you will easily find others which finds the opposite 
"You can live longer if you retire early, research shows—here’s why. Retiring early can actually lengthen your life, economists from the University of Amsterdam affirmed in a 2017 study published in the journal of Health and Economics"
link

Agree and even the article you linked to offers a counter argument: 
'Still, there are benefits to having a job, too. That’s why the advice from a Japanese doctor and longevity expert who lived until 105 is, “Don’t retire.”

Being in a work environment can keep your mind and, in some cases, your body active. If you work alongside others, that might also provide a sense of belonging. Social isolation, as the Times notes, is linked to cognitive decline and even death.

A job might also give you a sense of purpose, which research has shown to be associated with a host of benefits, including having a healthier heart and lower risk of dementia. In fact, one study found that the longer you work, the lower your risk for dementia'.  

billy2shots

missile said:

One ongoing study found that retired people, especially those in the first year of retirement, are about 40 percent more likely to experience a heart attack or stroke than those who keep working'.
Really?

If you look you will easily find others which finds the opposite 
"You can live longer if you retire early, research shows—here’s why. Retiring early can actually lengthen your life, economists from the University of Amsterdam affirmed in a 2017 study published in the journal of Health and Economics"
link

I wonder how many of those new retirees suddenly take up running or cycling for the first time. 

Clowance

Surely it depends on the job whether its a good idea to stay, and also if it is really important to your life. If you have a job you hate or that is very stressful, and where they won't permit reduction of hours, your options are either to retire and maybe do voluntary work in something that means a lot to you or to change jobs altogether. 

missile

It is all about choice, what is good for one may not be for another.
Some enjoy their job, for others do not. Some can afford to retire and others must work until they drop.

My point is; to make that decision based on some random study or some unknown Japanese doctor that retiring will reduce your life expectancy makes no sense to me.

If you are concerned, then discuss with YOUR doctor.