Effects of Work Demand and Changes in Leisure Activity on Postretirement Memory

This study evaluated the interactions between prior cognitive work demands and changes in cognitively stimulating leisure activities during the retirement transition and their relationship to changes in postretirement memory. We drew data (N = 631) from five waves of repeated annual measurements as part of the HEalth, Ageing and Retirement Transitions in Sweden study. We modeled memory trajectories using piecewise growth-curve models. Findings revealed that increased cognitive stimulation from leisure activities had beneficial effects on postretirement memory development among individuals reporting previously low cognitive work demands. Our findings provide partial evidence supporting public health recommendations, stating that retirees from less intellectually demanding occupations will gain from increases in cognitive leisure following retirement.