8 in 10 Couples Realize They Don’t Share the Same Interests After Retirement

A new study reveals retirement may not create the sort of relationship bliss many look forward to.

According to research conducted by the Skipton Building Society, eight out of 10 couples said they realized they didn’t share the same interests and hobbies after retiring.

The study looked at 660 retired individuals and found many of them also began to experience increased levels of relationship stress after they retired.

While the study stated nine out of 10 retired couples hold out hope they’ll be able to work through their newfound relationship problems, the problems in question are extremely common.

“Eight out of 10 couples realized they didn’t

share the same interests after retiring.”

Other results included:

• 40 percent of retired couples needed to learn how to live with each other again.
• 33 percent of retired couples argue about silly things.
• 29 percent of retired couples had different expectations for retirement.
• 20 percent of retired couples fight about a lack of money.

On a positive note, 93 percent of couples considered these problems to be nothing more than a temporary condition they’d be able to work through with their spouse, and the study’s researchers noted these problems aren’t inevitable.

“Without a doubt, a key part of a happy retirement is planning. Couples who plan their retirement ambitions together are likely to argue less and enjoy each other’s company more when they stop work,” said Stacey Stothard, corporate communications manager at the Skipton Building Society.

Source: Skipton.co.uk via Telegraph.co.uk. Photo source: karenmills.co.uk.