b'Retirement: A Well-Earned Rest? Retirement is often thought of as a well-earned rest at the end of a long work life, a time to relax and enjoy. Yet, work may have some benefits that are missed in retirement. Work may help keep us cognitively alert, physically active, and socially connected. What effect does retirement have on our health? What makes for a satisfying retirement?Working at a job can provide mental stimulation, which has been shown to help keep us mentally alert. HRS also shows that some jobs tend to challenge us more by presenting new information on a regular basis. On average, people who retire experience more cognitive decline than those who keep working. Doing more mental and social activities in retirement, however, seems to help keep us sharp.39,40,41 Keeping Busy & Staying SharpMental activities include:Getting Healthy in Retirement reading, playing games, doing Some people may be able to use theirpuzzles, listening to music, time in retirement to work on gettingsinging or playing an instrument, healthy. One study found that retirementpraying or meditating can help people quit smoking, which leads to better health.42 Social activities include: visiting in person with friends, doing volunteer work or attending concerts Financial StabilityFinancial stability in retirement makes a big difference for life satisfaction. Retirees who are financially vulnerable report similarFor most people retirement life satisfaction compared to those wholeads to higher life satisfaction, continue working full time. But feeling aand most people report very sense of control over your finances leadshigh levels of satisfaction with to more life satisfaction, even for thoseretirement. Interestingly, older with less financial resources.43 retirees are the most satisfied with retirement. 44,45AGE AT RETIREMENT PERCENT VERY SATISFIED WITH RETIREMENT10% who retire at 52 yrs the age of 52 are very satisfied50% who retire in 60s their 60s are very satisfiedSource: HRS 201817'