This study published in the British journal The Lancet was conducted by researchers from the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) on 14,000 people, 7 years before and 7 years after their retirement. These people rated their perceived state of health, scoring it between 1 (very good) and 7 (very bad).
During the years preceding retirement, the proportion of people declaring a poor state of health increases, reaching 20% of those questioned.
At the time of retirement, this trend is reversed: 14% of those questioned declared themselves to be in poor health one year after the end of their professional activity. Respondents return after retirement to the level of health they declared 8 to 10 years earlier.
People with unfavorable working conditions, such as high physical and psychological demands, or job dissatisfaction benefit the most from improved health after retirement.
The authors believe, however, that it should not be concluded that it is bad for your health to work after 55 years. They think that the feelings of people close to retirement should be taken into account to offer them a suitable working environment.
