Research suggests that people who feel most alive in retirement share one trait that has nothing to do with travel or hobbies — they are still someone that a younger person needs something from
Retirement is often marketed as a reward: freedom from responsibility, endless time for travel, hobbies, and relaxation. And while those things can bring enjoyment, psychology and aging research increasingly suggest they are not what make people feel truly alive in this stage of life. Instead, one pattern stands out across studies in 2025 and 2026. … Read more