Bridging the gap to a healthy retirement
16 October 2009
Interestingly, the scientists have found that it's not just working that makes a difference, but the type of job you choose to do. I'd advise anyone considering working after retirement to think carefully about the type of work they take on. 
Dr Paula Franklin, director of healthcare development, Bupa
People who work after retirement, either on a part-time, temporary or self-employed basis, enjoy better health than those who fully retire, according to new research.
The US scientists followed the health of over 12,000 men and women aged between 51 and 67 at different stages of retirement. The researchers grouped the people into those that had fully retired, those still working and those who had retired but then carried on or started work again. This last group were further categorised into those who had taken a job that was unrelated to their former occupation (bridge employment), and those who had taken a job in the same field of work (career bridge employment).
At the start of the study, each person took part in a lengthy interview. The researchers collected information about the state of their health, specifically whether they had any major diseases such as diabetes, heart disease or cancer, how capable they were of carrying out everyday tasks (such as dressing or bathing themselves), and their mental health. Follow-up interviews were carried out every two years over a six year period.
The scientists found that people who worked after retirement, either in the same occupation or in a different occupation, had fewer major diseases and were more capable of carrying out everyday tasks than those who fully retired. The researchers believe that this is because they remained physically and mentally active, as well as keeping up their social contacts and normal daily routine.
However, only those people who took jobs in the same occupation had better mental health. This is thought to be because keeping a similar role leads to less upheaval, whereas taking on a new role in a different field may be more stressful and disruptive.
These findings stood even after the researchers took into account each person's physical and mental health before they retired, age, gender, education level and how wealthy they were.
Dr Paula Franklin, director of healthcare development for Bupa, commented: "This research shows that there are clear physical and mental health benefits to working after retirement. Interestingly, the scientists have found that it's not just working that makes a difference, but the type of job you choose to do. I'd advise anyone considering working after retirement to think carefully about the type of work they take on.
"In a wider context, this research could have social and economic implications, especially in considering the number of 'baby-boomers' coming up to retirement age. Educating people about the health benefits of career bridge employment may not only ease rising health costs, but could also help plug the gaps left in the employment market," she added.
Related information
- Cancer health factsheet
- Coronary heart disease health factsheet
- Osteoarthritis health factsheet
- Rheumatoid arthritis health factsheet
- Stress in the workplace health factsheet
Read the study
Zhan Y, Wang M, Liu S, et al. Bridge Employment and Retirees' Health: A Longitudinal Investigation. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology 2009; 14(4):374-389. doi:10.1037/a0015285
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