Rather than declining, wellbeing tends to peak around the time many people transition into retirement. For many, this lift in wellbeing comes from a shift in daily pressures. Work stress eases. Time feels less scarce. There’s more freedom to choose how days are spent. And then there’s the benefit of hard-worn wisdom, experience and perspective.
But how can you hang on to happiness? Research indicates loneliness then increases after 70, but it also indicates that there’s plenty we can do about it.2
Regular connection matters. People who see friends or family at least once a week are significantly less likely to experience psychological distress than those who only connect every few months. It doesn’t require a large social network or being out every night of the week – it just means consistent, meaningful contact.
Structure plays an important role, too. Retirees who maintain some form of regular, purposeful activity, such as volunteering, casual work or caring for others, tend to report higher life satisfaction and lower levels of distress. These activities provide rhythm to the week, opportunities for social interaction, and a sense of contribution, all of which support wellbeing over time.
What those things look like in practice is deeply personal. For extroverts, wellbeing might be closely tied to being around others, through group activities, travel or regular social catch-ups. For introverts, happiness often comes from quieter forms of connection: one-on-one relationships, creative pursuits, time in nature or structured activities with a clear purpose. Neither approach is better than the other, it’s just about what is most meaningful to you.
Another factor that often goes unnoticed is how time changes in retirement. While there may be more of it, it isn’t limitless. Many retirees take on caring roles, support family members, or find their days filling up faster than expected. Without realising it, time for personal wellbeing can slip to the bottom of the list. That’s why small, regular habits that support happiness tend to be more powerful than big, one-off plans.
Just as planning for your finances in retirement isn’t something to set and forget, wellbeing benefits from the same mindset. Paying attention to what keeps you connected, grounded and engaged can help ensure that the happiness many will experience in our 60s isn’t just a phase, but something that continues to support you in the years ahead.
