The natural history of retirement. Mainly good news.

The number of persons retiring from work early or at the "normal" age of 65 to 69 years is rapidly increasing owing to current social forces. The impact of retirement, one of life's major events, on a person's health is of particular interest for a physician counseling a patient on the advisability of retirement. Despite the common belief, held by the medical community and lay persons alike, that retirement has a profound negative impact on the health of the retired person, available scientific data indicate that retirement per se may have a positive or no effect on health. New medical philosophy and approaches to retirement are suggested after review of the literature pertaining to the relationship between health, life satisfaction, and retirement.