RETIREMENT AND HEALTH

Objective and subjective data on physical health were obtained as part of a large study on the effects of retirement. The objective data included such items as hospital admissions, visits to the physician, and the presence of some commonly experienced symptoms; the subjective data pertained to such factors as perception of, and satisfaction with health status, and the occurrence of limitations or changes. In a sample of 500 retired persons (both sexes, 60-70 age group), self-perception of health indicated that they were in good, or even improved, health after retirement. Correlations of physical health status with demographic, behavioral and psychological variables led to the conclusion that persons who are privileged socio-economically are also privileged physically and psychologically in the post-retirement phase of their lives. Attitudes toward the process of retirement are also significantly correlated with physical health. Evidence in the literature largely confirms these findings. © 1969 The American Geriatrics Society.