Sunday Morning Discussions: Early Retirement and Cognitive Decline

This month we'll discuss a recent paper that raises an important question for the FI community: Does retiring early accelerate cognitive decline? Using data from more than 40,000 Americans, the researchers attempt to separate the effects of retirement itself from other factors that influence cognitive health. Join us to discuss the study's findings, its strengths and limitations, and whether—or how—it should affect how we approach early retirement.

Here are two articles about the paper, along with the paper itself. You do not need to read the entire paper to join the discussion.

https://health.yahoo.com/articles/leaving-workforce-early-lead-cognitive-120000433.html

https://fortune.com/article/why-does-retiring-early-lead-to-cognitive-decline/

https://www.nber.org/papers/w35117

Here are a few questions to think about ahead of time. Feel free to bring your own as well.

• What do you think is the study's biggest strength? Biggest weakness?
• Do you think the findings apply equally to someone who chooses FIRE and someone who retires because of layoffs or poor job prospects?
• What aspects of work might protect cognition—mental challenge, routine, social interaction, purpose, or something else? How can those benefits be replaced after retirement?
• The paper found stronger effects for men than women. Why do you think that might be?

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Venue: East Simpson Coffee Company
Website: https://www.eastsimpsoncoffee.com/
Please note that we'll be meeting upstairs instead of in the side building this time.
The coffee shop kindly hosts us with the expectation that each attendee makes a purchase. Please plan accordingly.