Retirement Employment Could Hold the Secret to Male Contentment

In a recent study published in the Journal of Happiness Studies, researchers have found that men are more likely to work during their retirement years, and this trend could have significant implications for their emotional well-being and life satisfaction.

The study sheds light on the fact that men may be more vulnerable to loneliness in retirement due to having fewer close friends outside of work. This could be why work promotes health aging and helps men maintain social connections, staving off loneliness in retirement.

Old-fashioned perceptions of gender roles may explain why older men are more likely to choose full-time roles, even in retirement, while women are less likely to pursue full-time work. Men tend to define themselves by their career, making work an important aspect of their identity. This could be why men are more likely to work due to economic necessity, even if it means holding down full-time jobs.

On the other hand, women are more selective in their work motivations and are more likely to pursue full-time jobs only if they have good prospects in the labor market or high-quality jobs. Women are more likely to work part-time rather than full-time if they have to work due to economic necessity.

Higher earners are more likely to work in retirement for access to good-paying jobs and personal satisfaction with their work. Despite economic insecurity, men are more likely to work due to economic necessity and hold down full-time jobs, while women are more likely to work part-time.

The study found that older men are more likely to work during retirement, regardless of their job type. Working at least part-time can help facilitate a transition out of employment and into retirement for men. The researchers who published the study, finding that men are surprisingly happier when working, are not explicitly named in the provided search results.

However, women tend to face more economic insecurity during retirement due to living longer, having lower retirement benefits, and career interruptions for caregiving. This could be why working full-time or part-time in retirement improves the emotional well-being and life satisfaction of men, regardless of job type, but may not have the same effect on women.

Social policies that encourage employment of older people might serve men more than women, as older Americans who don't earn much are more likely to work in retirement due to economic necessity. The study highlights the need for policies that address the unique challenges faced by women in retirement and promote their financial security and well-being.

In conclusion, the study published in the Journal of Happiness Studies suggests that men may be happier working during their retirement years. However, it also underscores the need for policies and social changes that address the unique challenges faced by women in retirement and promote their financial security and well-being.