The idea of early retirement sits like a mirage for many workers - endless golf, RV-ing, TV-ing, and watching the grandkids grow. While this may relieve the tedium of a boring job, it can also cause some to give up work early, and chase the dream. That's all very well if the dream involves an active lifestyle with plenty of socialization, but it's not so good if there's more TV than UV (i.e. outdoor activity).

A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology has examined the age of retirement and the rate of mortality - in Greece.

About 17,000 men and women were enrolled between 1994 and 1999; they were free from stroke, cancer, coronary heart disease, and diabetes. Mortality (up to 2006) and age at retirement (if applicable) were analyzed. Retirees of any age had a 50% increase in all-cause mortality over the 12-year follow-up compared to those of the same age who were still working. In those who had retired, each 5-year increase in the age at retirement was linked to a 10% decrease in the risk of death.

If you hadn't needed a good reason to keep working as long as you can (and by working I include volunteer activities), you've got one now.