To most young people, retirement means relaxation every
day, with mornings spent leisurely reading the paper over coffee, afternoons
hitting the links or chilling on the beach, and evenings at pleasant dinners
with your spouse and friends or watching your favorite programs.
But for many retirees, it’s just the opposite. Out of
43 potentially stressful major life events, retirement is ranked the 10th most
stressful, ranking just higher than a major change in the health or behavior of
a family member (11th). The death of a spouse, something many people experience
in their retirement years, ranks number one.