Impact of transition to retirement on the risk of depression and suicidality: results from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE)

BACKGROUND: Depression is among the main contributors to older adults’ mental health burden. Retirement, as a major life transition, has been claimed to influence mental health substantially. METHODS: To assess short- and long-term impacts of transitioning to retirement on depression risk and suicidality in older adults across Europe, we conducted a longitudinal study using data from the SHARE, collected between 2004 and 2020 in 27 European countries plus Israel. To estimate relative risks (RR) for depression and suicidality at seven time intervals before and after retirement, we fitted adjusted generalised estimating equation models for repeated measures. RESULTS: We included 8,998 individuals employed at baseline and retired at follow-up. Compared to the year of retirement, the risk of depression was 11% lower in the following year (RR 0.89; 95% CI 0.81-0.99), 9% lower after 2 years (RR 0.91; 95% CI 0.82-1.00) and after 3 years (RR 0.91; 95% CI 0.81-1.01). Significant estimates remained among females, married individuals, those with an intermediate or higher level of education, former manual workers and those who retired at or before their country's median retirement age. A significant increase in depressive symptoms emerged from the tenth year after retirement among former non-manual workers (RR 1.21; 95% CI 1.05-1.40) and late retirees (RR 1.37; 95% CI 1.16-1.63). As for suicidality, we reported an increase in risk only 5 years or more after retirement: +30% 5-9 years after retirement (RR 1.30; 95% CI 1.04-1.64) and +47% 10 or more years after retirement (RR 1.47; 95% CI 1.09-1.98). CONCLUSIONS: Longitudinal data suggest an independent effect of retiring associated with a reduction in depression and suicidality risk in the short run, with its effect decreasing in the long run. If greater flexibility in pensionable age may help prevent depression late in life, the transition to retirement is to be accompanied by targeted health promotion interventions.