In a new study from the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, researchers found postponing retirement is protective against cognitive decline.
They found participating in the labor market until the age of 67 slows cognitive decline and is protective against cognitive impairment, such as that caused by Alzheimer’s.
This protective effect appears to hold regardless of gender and educational or occupational attainment.
With the population aging, there is a growing concern about the increasing prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease.
As there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, it is important to understand the influences on cognitive function over one’s life span, paying particular attention to modifiable risk factors.
In the study, the team used data from the Health and Retirement Study on more than 20,000 US-Americans ages 55 to 75 who participated in the labor market at some point between 1996 and 2014.
They examined retirement and cognitive function from the perspective that they both come near the end of a long path of life.
They found that delaying retirement can help protect against cognitive decline. The beneficial effect is related to a slowed rate of cognitive decline rather than a boost in cognitive function.
The team says in many countries governments have enacted policies to increase the statutory retirement age.
That is why it is relevant to understand if retiring at older ages may have health consequences, particularly on cognitive function.
The study suggests that there may be a beneficial consequence of postponed retirement.
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The study is published in the journal SSM Population Health. One author of the study is Angelo Lorenti.
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