Over two-thirds of those working after age 50 say that working boosts their physical health, mental health, and overall wellbeing, according to a new poll conducted by the University of Michigan.
"Americans are living and working longer than ever before, with nearly 38 million older adults in the workforce today - more than two and a half times the number from 40 years ago," said Carly Roszkowski, vice president of financial resilience at AARP, in a press release.
In August 2024, the Michigan Poll on Healthy Aging asked a representative sample of 1 175 adults in Michigan aged 50- 94 years old about their experiences with and motivations for work, as well as how it impacts their health and well-being.
Altogether, 82% of respondents noted that work has a very positive or somewhat positive effect on their overall well-being, with similar reports for mental/ emotional health and physical health. Those aged 65 and older more frequently reported positive effects in all three categories than younger participants.
Meanwhile, 86% of participants reported that having a sense of purpose was either a very important or somewhat important reason for working and 73% reported that being able to contribute to society was either a very important or somewhat important reason for working.
"Our perceptions of working after age 65 have changed over time, and these data suggest that most older adults who are still able to work after the traditional retirement age derive health-related benefits from doing so," said poll director Jeffrey Kullgren, M.D., M.P.H., M.S., associate professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan in a press release.
"As we learn more about how loneliness, lack of social connection and isolation intertwine with physical and mental health in older adults, the role of work is important to consider,” he added.
Sources: Science Daily, University of Michigan
