| Life Satisfaction Friends Are The Key A study conducted at the University of Michigan confirms that post-retirement changes in life satisfaction are common. Following retirement, psychological well-being increases for some individuals and decreases for others. But, why do some feel better and some feel worse? The researchers analyzed how physical health, income, the number of negative life events experienced in recent years, and demographic variables (e.g., age, sex) influenced the psychological well-being of recent retirees. Surprisingly, they found that the most powerful predictors of life satisfaction right after retirement were not wealth or health, but the size of a person's social support network. The researchers concluded that new retirees need a social network more than they did when they were working. "Just having a number of people who provide emotional support, listen to your concerns, and let you know that you're still valued right after you retire seems to make a big difference." Source: "A Network of Friends Crucial for Happiness," USA Today (December 1998).
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