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Retire early - die early
The Local ^ | 10/12/05

Posted on 10/12/2005 4:42:55 PM PDT by BurbankKarl

The idea of a long, relaxed retirement may appeal to many after a life of hard work, but the results of a new Swedish study show that it might not be such a good idea after all.

A joint project from the Karolinska Institute and Linköping University has revealed that people who retire early are twice as likely to die earlier than the rest of the population. The increased risk affects both men and women, noted Dagens Medicin, which got hold of the unpublished results.

For twelve years researchers have studied almost a quarter of a million people in the county of Östergötland who was aged 16 to 64 in 1984.

They found that the risk of dying early was 2.5 times higher among women who retired early and 2.8 times higher among men who retired early.

Women who were forced into an early pension before the age of 24 run the greatest risk: their chances of dying early are 14 times higher than the average.

The news will disturb the 60% of Swedes who in a recent survey said that they are eager to retire early.

Professor Kristina Alexandersson, who led the project, said she was surprised by the result. She told Dagens Medicin that it is normally muscular and skeletal diagnoses, along with depression, which result in early retirement - conditions which do not normally lead to death.

The precise risk of dying early is unclear.

Researchers offer two explanations. One is that the health factors which result in early retirement are many and complex. Another is that the social isolation of early retirement can have a negative influence on health.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: sweden
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1 posted on 10/12/2005 4:42:58 PM PDT by BurbankKarl
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To: BurbankKarl

NOW they tell me! ;-}


2 posted on 10/12/2005 4:44:21 PM PDT by Vermonter
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To: BurbankKarl

>>Women who were forced into an early pension before the age of 24<,

Now that's BEFORE early.


3 posted on 10/12/2005 4:46:30 PM PDT by sissyjane (Don't be stuck on stupid!)
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To: BurbankKarl
I think Swedes should work until they are 100, just for the health benefits.

Women who were forced into an early pension before the age of 24 run the greatest risk: their chances of dying early are 14 times higher than the average.

That sounds weird. To be forced into retirement at such an early age would indicate a severe medical problem. Those with severe medical problems are likely to die younger. Ah, the magic of statistics.

That is why the rest should work til 100. To pay for the ones who can't or won't.

4 posted on 10/12/2005 4:49:01 PM PDT by Mind-numbed Robot (Not all that needs to be done needs to be done by the government.)
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To: BurbankKarl
Women who were forced into an early pension before the age of 24 run the greatest risk: their chances of dying

How common is it for anyone to retire before 24? Seems to me if you had to retire before 24, you were probably doing so because of a disability or illness. It seems logical that these people would die earlier.

Perhaps the study didn't adjust for people who left the workforce early due to health reasons? 24 seems very young. Why not look at what happens to people who retire between 40-55?

5 posted on 10/12/2005 4:50:04 PM PDT by radiohead (Proud member of the 'arrogant supermagt')
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To: BurbankKarl
Retirement is overrated. At least, that's what I hear from everybody I know that's retired. Most of them have gone back to at least some type of job.
6 posted on 10/12/2005 4:51:48 PM PDT by SamAdams76 (What Would Howard Roarke Do?)
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To: radiohead

Since the upper age quoted for the study two lines above is "64", I presume the "24" is a typo.


7 posted on 10/12/2005 4:53:10 PM PDT by Mr. Jeeves (Speaking several languages is an asset; keeping your mouth shut in one is priceless.)
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To: BurbankKarl
Don't be telling me this! I retired at 55. That was three years ago.

I actually am FAR MORE busy than I was working. You know...FReepin' and that kind of stuff. LOL

8 posted on 10/12/2005 4:55:23 PM PDT by afnamvet
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To: Mr. Jeeves
Since the upper age quoted for the study two lines above is "64", I presume the "24" is a typo.

Ah ha. See what happens when you read closely? : )

9 posted on 10/12/2005 4:57:13 PM PDT by radiohead (Proud member of the 'arrogant supermagt')
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To: BurbankKarl
"Another is that the social isolation of early retirement can have a negative influence on health."

Hey this site keeps me going in spite of a lot of 'negative influences'.

10 posted on 10/12/2005 4:59:24 PM PDT by ex-snook (Vote gridlock for the most conservative government)
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To: BurbankKarl

So is this good news for the Delphi workers forced into early retirement and now worrying about losing their pensions? The bankruptcy court can rule against the UAW since all the retirees are going to die early.


11 posted on 10/12/2005 5:02:52 PM PDT by Elmer Gantry
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To: BurbankKarl

Umm... Could it be that sick people retire early... Because they are sick?


12 posted on 10/12/2005 5:06:38 PM PDT by Poser (Willing to fight for oil)
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To: BurbankKarl

i actually believe that retiring is hazzardous to your health.
people lose purpose when they do not have a routine to persue.
it is important to have that intermingling with co workers,
birthday partys child birth etc.
it does not have to be full time but any commitment to work gives you an outlet from the ho hum. it is rare that someone can float through retirement and be blissful.
check out woody hayse. retires and dies.


13 posted on 10/12/2005 5:08:51 PM PDT by 537cant be wrong (vampires stole my lunch money !)
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To: BurbankKarl
my father just turned 82 and is still self-employed... he does landscape design... he loves it... at his 70th birthday/retirement party he announced to all in attendance that he was absolutely not retiring...

a couple of years ago, he began cutting way back on work, maybe keeping 1/2 his accounts... that did not last long... slowly but surely, he began to take on more... his work has been very good for him and my mom... he takes time off when he wants to, and just about always has... he and my mom have traveled extensively during the last 20 years... besides, the whole notion of retirement is not biblical...

14 posted on 10/12/2005 5:14:16 PM PDT by latina4dubya
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To: BurbankKarl

Retirement is a hoax. Everyone needs a reason to get up in the morning.


15 posted on 10/12/2005 5:15:52 PM PDT by durasell
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To: Mind-numbed Robot
"That sounds weird. To be forced into retirement at such an early age would indicate a severe medical problem. Those with severe medical problems are likely to die younger. Ah, the magic of statistics."

That was exactly my first thought.

In my case, I retired at 50 (11 years ago) and am in very good health.

16 posted on 10/12/2005 5:32:51 PM PDT by blam
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To: durasell
Retirement (inactivity, no purpose) kills. I noticed that when some IBMers, real company men, who had no life besides company life retired, it didn't take much longer than 2 - 5 years before obituary notice announced their short retirement.
Maybe Swedish Socialist government dies retirees early, so they don't have to pay pensions? Sure easy to administer with free medical care. Doctor mistakes kill more people than war.
17 posted on 10/12/2005 5:34:13 PM PDT by Leo Carpathian (FReeeePeee!)
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To: BurbankKarl

What a crock this article is. I retired early nearly 15 years ago at 45 and I’m now 60. When we retired my wife and I and our baby daughter moved to a rural state and bought an acreage. What a wonderful and life we have lived since! We would in no way give up the experience of getting out of the cities to move out to the country with our family. Our days are filled with golfing, boating, hanging out together at our home, computers, gardening, ham radio, motorcycles, walking, running, birds, hobbies, and enjoying being together. Back before retirement, I'd come home ticked off, stressed out, taking antacids, etc. and didn't hardly talk to my wife for the first hour I was home.

And, some think retiring early is bad for you? Don’t think so -- no way. This article is BS.


18 posted on 10/12/2005 5:35:38 PM PDT by Rightone
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To: SamAdams76
"Retirement is overrated"

No it's not. I retired at 57, now 66 and happier than heck. Good health and a son that just turned 20 today.

Simple fact, life is better for some than others. I have no clue why.

Personally, I think the answer is Boxers vs Jockey's.

19 posted on 10/12/2005 5:40:33 PM PDT by AGreatPer
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To: Vermonter

Mom and Dad are a very healthy 85.

They must be the exception--and I'm blessed!!!!


20 posted on 10/12/2005 5:41:52 PM PDT by bannie (The government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend upon the support of Paul.)
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