When you were younger, you might’ve seen retirement as a time for slowing down—just like your parents or grandparents did. But if you’re in your 50s, 60s, 70s, or even 80s, chances are you don’t see it that way at all. Today, the idea that “age is just a number” has never felt more real. Getting older isn’t about winding down—it’s about opening up to new adventures, fresh starts, and deeper meaning.
And here’s the best part: research shows that happiness doesn’t fade with age—it actually grows. In fact, many people find that retirement marks the happiest, most fulfilling chapter of their lives.
Surprising Science: The 2 Ages When People Are Happiest
This might catch you off guard—it did for me. A few years ago, researchers set out to pinpoint the ages when adults are happiest, and the results were unexpected.
According to a study by the London School of Economics and Political Science, happiness tends to peak not once, but twice in life: first at age 23, and again at age 69.
Yes—69! That’s older than many of us might have guessed, and it’s a powerful reminder that joy doesn’t fade with age—it often builds.
And if you’re already past 69? Don’t worry—there’s no happiness cliff. The good news is, you’re still in the glow zone, with plenty of joy ahead.
Why We Are Happiest at 23 and 69
To uncover the happiest points in life, researchers surveyed 23,000 adults between the ages of 17 and 85. The results? Happiness tends to peak at two surprising ages: 23 and 69.
At 23, you’re stepping into adulthood with fresh independence. School is behind you, income is ahead of you, and the world feels wide open with possibility.
At 69, many of life’s biggest responsibilities—like work and raising a family—are winding down. Retirement offers the freedom to focus on yourself, explore new interests, and redefine what fulfillment looks like.
What do these two moments have in common? Both are launching points—times of transition and fresh beginnings. And it turns out, new adventures are powerful ingredients for happiness.
Tips for Happiness in Retirement
Here are a few of my favorite methods for increasing happiness – daily and as a whole, no matter your age:
Look forward
They say that people are happiest when they live in the here and now.
However, the research cited above theorizes that looking forward and planning for new life experiences can peak happiness. It is similar to studies that suggest that planning a vacation brings more happiness than the travel itself.
Planning for and anticipating the future you want can be a great way to be happy. Dan Sullivan, author, and founder of Strategic Coach, Inc. has written extensively about the power of looking forward.
Two of his 30 books deal directly with the concept: The Laws of Lifetime Growth “outlines ten ‘laws’ that give readers an internal framework for taking charge of their future.” And, The Dan Sullivan Question is a short simple book that asks you to ponder one important question: If you and I were to meet three years from today, what would you want to have happened for you, personally and professionally, in order to consider those years a success?
Have a written retirement plan:
Yes, we are a retirement planning website, so maybe we are biased. I prefer to think that we just really believe in what we are doing!
Besides, having a written retirement plan is actually proven to reduce stress and make you feel better – more confident – about your future. And let’s face it, stress is almost the exact opposite of happiness!
Plus, building on the previous theme of looking forward, using the Boldin Retirement Planner is a concrete way to look forward and plan for the life you want.
Think about death
I have an app onto my phone: “WeCroak.” It sends me an alert at 5 random times throughout the day that says, “You are going to die.” Oddly enough, the result is that I feel pretty good about where I am today.
Sure, thinking about death is inherently “morbid.” But, the irony is that it is also actually life-affirming. As the WeCroak creators say, “a regular practice of contemplating mortality helps us accept what we must, let go of things that don’t matter, and honor the things that do.”
And, finding happiness by contemplating your mortality is a scientifically-backed technique.
Find the positive
There are two sides to every coin, and a glass is always either half full or half empty. You get to choose what to focus on and focusing on the positive is a sure-fire way to feel happier.
No matter how dire the circumstances, work hard to find one little glimmer of hope and happiness. Focus on that. Foster it. And, you’ll probably find that the little spot of goodness will get bigger.
Focus on relationships
Nurturing your relationships with friends and family and creating new friends has been proven in study after study to be the secret of not only a happy life – but also a longer life. Loneliness is as big a predictor of an earlier death as smoking!
Have a purpose:
Giving back and feeling part of a community are well recognized as being keys to happiness — especially in old age.
And, helping people younger than you can be particularly rewarding. Harvard University’s landmark study of aging well, found that “generativity” (doing things to help younger generations) tripled the chances that someone would feel joy throughout their seventies.
Explore 6 Ways to Find Meaning and Purpose in Retirement.
Want more tips? Here are additional ways to to live your best life. You might also want to explore: 98 Tips for a Healthy, Wealthy, and Happy Retirement.