Society has a complicated attitude toward aging, full of unrealistic assumptions and a somewhat upside-down logic. Many people spend their healthiest years working, get thoroughly accustomed to being told what to do, and then, just as they grow a bit more tired and more inclined to sit still for longer stretches, they are handed free time and money for enjoyment. It is meant to feel like a great reward, but research suggests that if it is not handled well, retirement can become more of a burden than a benefit.
Read on to learn what the “retirement curse” means, how it can affect you, and what practical steps may help you avoid it.
More from Digilifetrends
Stocks Suffer Their Weakest Week Since April, and Buffett’s Rule Offers a Better Way for a 74-Year-Old Facing a $39,216 IRA Withdrawal
Stocks just suffered their weakest week since April 2025, and a 74-year-old with a $1 million IRA still has a $39,216 withdrawal due by Dec. 31. Warren Buffett’s advice is not to…
5 min read · Published 2026-11-07Federal Data Shows What Retirees Typically Spend
Older Americans spent more overall, but much of the increase came from people who kept working beyond age 65.
2 min read · Published 2026-11-06What to know about the updated I Bond yield and Treasury Direct's new sign-in system
The new I Bond rate comes with a new way of logging in.
5 min read · Published 2026-11-06