Researchers find how retirement impacts social support, wellbeing

Australian couples moving into retirement tend to maintain their social networks, and many see an improvement in their mental health and wellbeing, according to a recent study led by researchers at the University of Technology Sydney.

High levels of social connectedness are linked with better health and wellbeing, so this is good news for those with strong social ties. However, for those with low levels of support, it suggests that policies and programs to increase support in retirement could improve wellbeing. The World Health Organisation says social isolation and loneliness have a serious impact on older people’s physical and mental health, quality of life.

“For some people, social support might decrease when they retire, as they lose work connections or move home, while for others retirement brings more opportunities to strengthen ties or make new friends,” says co-author UTS economist Dr Nathan Kettlewell.

Using data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey from 2001-2018, the researchers looked at 1600 partnered individuals who transitioned to retirement.

The study found that most people maintained their pre-retirement level of social support after either they or their partner, retired. Women, and those with high social support, were more likely to see an improvement in mental wellbeing when they or their partner retired.

Both men and women saw an increase in ‘life satisfaction’ – a measure of how people evaluate their life as a whole rather than their current feelings – when they or their partner retired.