What percentage of people get depressed after retirement?

Depression after retirement is common, with studies showing roughly 1 in 3 retirees (around 28-33%) experiencing symptoms, a rate higher than the general adult population, often peaking around the transition period due to loss of routine, identity, and social connection. Factors like involuntary retirement, being female, and living in rural areas increase risk, while later retirement ages can also elevate depression risk, highlighting the need for proactive mental health support during this major life change.

How to enjoy life after retirement?

To enjoy retirement, focus on your well-being by staying physically and mentally active with new or old hobbies, maintaining social connections through clubs or volunteering, setting new goals (like learning a language or instrument), and establishing routines that include healthy eating, exercise, and relaxation, all while keeping a positive mindset. 

What is the number one mistake retirees make?

The top ten financial mistakes most people make after retirement are:

• 1) Not Changing Lifestyle After Retirement. ...
• 2) Failing to Move to More Conservative Investments. ...
• 3) Applying for Social Security Too Early. ...
• 4) Spending Too Much Money Too Soon. ...
• 5) Failure To Be Aware Of Frauds and Scams. ...
• 6) Cashing Out Pension Too Soon.

Why are so many people unhappy in retirement?

Common reasons people end up hating retirement include lack of purpose, reduced social connection, unplanned or forced retirement, health issues, and financial stress.

What percentage of retirees are happy?

Four in 10 (44%) retirees agreed that their “enjoyment of life” in retirement has improved, and 41% said their happiness has increased since leaving the workforce. About nine in 10 would consider themselves a “generally happy person” (89%).

Spotting the Signs of Sudden Onset Mid-Retirement Depression

What is the biggest retirement regret among seniors?

Not Saving Enough

If there's one regret that rises above all others, it's this: not saving enough. In fact, a study from the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies shows that 78% of retirees wish they had saved more.

What is the average lifespan after retirement?

After retiring at age 65 in the U.S., men can expect to live to around 82-84, while women often live to 85-87, but many live even longer, with factors like health, lifestyle (non-smoking, exercise), and genetics significantly influencing individual longevity, making planning for a 20+ year retirement common. 

What does Suze Orman say about retirement?

Orman recommended making the most of retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs. She suggested contributing enough to get any employer match, as this is essentially free money. For those closer to retirement, taking advantage of catch-up contributions allowed for individuals over 50 can be a smart move.

At what age are people most unhappy?

The age group least happy, according to research showing a U-shaped happiness curve, is typically middle-aged adults in their late 40s to early 50s, often hitting a low around age 47.2, due to pressures like career, family, and financial responsibilities; however, recent data also points to declining happiness in younger generations (Gen Z/under 30s), especially young women, in some developed nations like the US.
 

What is the smartest age to retire?

There's no single "smartest" age, but 65-67 is a common sweet spot for maximizing benefits (full Social Security, Medicare eligibility), while many Americans think 63 is ideal but often retire around 62-64 due to health or finances. The truly best age depends on your financial security, health, lifestyle goals, and desire to work, with some experts suggesting delaying Social Security to 70 for maximum payout, making late 60s a financially optimal time to retire, even if you start earlier. 

What is the $1000 a month rule for retirement?

The $1,000 a month retirement rule is a simple guideline stating you need about $240,000 saved for every $1,000 of monthly income you want from your investments in retirement, based on a 5% annual withdrawal rate ($240k x 0.05 / 12 = $1k/month). It's a motivational tool to estimate savings goals (e.g., $3,000/month needs $720k), but it's one-dimensional, doesn't account for inflation, taxes, or other income like Social Security, and assumes steady 5% returns, making a personalized plan essential. 

What is the number one fear of retirees?

Financial security

Many older adults worry about how they're going to afford to live in retirement. They may be concerned about running out of money, not being able to afford healthcare, or not being able to maintain their current lifestyle (or achieve their dream retirement lifestyle).

How many people have $500,000 in their retirement account?

While exact numbers vary by source and year, recent data suggests around 7-9% of American households have $500,000 or more in retirement savings, though many more have significant savings in the $100k-$500k range, with a large portion of the population having much less, highlighting a big gap between the average (which is higher due to wealthy individuals) and the median (typical) saver. 

What do the happiest retirees do?

SunLife's 2025 Life Well Spent report, which surveyed more than 2,000 adults age 50 and older, found that the happiest retirees spend 43 more minutes per week in nature and significantly less time watching TV than unhappy retirees. (Image credit: SunLife, Life Well Spent Happiness Report, 2025.)

What are the 3 R's of retirement?

The Three R's of Retirement: Resiliency, Resourcefulness & the Renaissance Spirit.

What does the average retiree do all day?

Retired people fill their days with a wide variety of activities, often focusing on leisure, personal interests, and social connections, including hobbies (gardening, reading, art, music, puzzles), physical activities (walking, cycling, yoga), learning (online courses, languages), volunteering, spending time with family (grandkids), home/DIY projects, travel, and sometimes part-time work, aiming to stay active and engaged without the structure of a job. 

What is the #1 worst habit for anxiety?

The #1 worst habit for anxiety isn't one single thing, but often a cycle involving procrastination/avoidance, driven by anxiety and leading to more anxiety, alongside fundamental issues like sleep deprivation, which cripples your ability to cope with stress. Other major culprits are excessive caffeine, poor diet, negative self-talk, sedentary living, and constantly checking your phone, all creating a vicious cycle that fuels worry and physical symptoms.
 

Who is most likely to suffer from depression?

Women, young adults (18-29), individuals with a history of trauma or chronic illness, those in difficult socio-economic situations, and people with certain personality traits (like low self-esteem) are most likely to experience depression, though it can affect anyone at any age. Factors like family history, other mental health disorders, substance abuse, and significant life stressors (bereavement, financial issues) also increase risk. 

What is the unhappiest generation?

Generation Z (Gen Z) (roughly born 1997-2012) is widely considered the unhappiest living generation, reporting higher levels of anxiety, depression, and overall poor mental health compared to older generations, even when compared to previous generations at the same age, according to studies from Gallup, Harvard, and others. Factors contributing to their unhappiness include economic instability, loneliness, the impact of social media, political tensions, and global crises like climate change, leading to a "ski slope" of misery rather than the traditional "U-shaped" happiness curve where youth are happiest.
 

What does Dave Ramsey say about retirement?

Dave Ramsey's retirement advice centers on aggressive debt elimination, investing 15% of your gross income in growth stock mutual funds (within 401(k)s/IRAs), and not relying heavily on Social Security; he stresses becoming completely debt-free, including the mortgage, for true financial freedom in retirement, using Social Security as a supplement, not the main source. 

What is a comfortable monthly retirement income?

A comfortable monthly retirement income varies, but a common goal is 70-80% of your pre-retirement income, translating to roughly $5,000–$8,000+ monthly for many, covering essentials and some luxuries, though high-cost areas or lavish lifestyles might need $10,000+. For a modest lifestyle, $4,000–$6,000/month can work, while $6,000–$8,000 supports more discretionary spending like dining out and travel, with luxury requiring $10,000–$15,000+. 

Why do people say not to pay off your mortgage?

AND, you get early interest penalties for paying your mortgage off 'early' AND when you pay off your mortgage your credit rating can drop significantly, making is HARDER to borrow more money despite paying back money Exceptions to this are with very high interest rates or very low inflation.

What is the happiest age to retire?

While about a third say the ideal age is between 60 and 64 (36%), substantial shares think it's best to retire between 65 and 69 (21%) and at 70 or older (22%).

How many Americans have $1,000,000 in retirement savings?

Only a small fraction of Americans, roughly 2.5% to 4.7%, have $1 million or more in retirement savings, with the percentage rising slightly to around 3.2% among actual retirees, according to recent Federal Reserve data analyses. A higher percentage, about 9.2%, of those nearing retirement (ages 55-64) have reached this milestone, though the majority of households have significantly less saved. 

What is the strongest predictor of longevity?

While several factors contribute, cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2 max) and strong social connections/relationships are consistently highlighted as the biggest predictors of longevity, with physical activity levels and lack of smoking/excessive drinking also crucial. VO2 max reflects how well your heart, lungs, and muscles use oxygen, linking to lower disease risk, while nurturing relationships provides stress resilience and well-being.