Why Later Life Can be a Golden Age for Friendship
This article appears as part of Casey Weade's Weekend Reading for Retirees series. Every Friday, Casey highlights four hand-picked articles on trending retirement topics and delivers them straight to your email inbox. Get on the list here.
Weekend Reading
As we age, our social circles may shrink—but that doesn't mean our connections must become any less powerful.
READ THE ARTICLEIn fact, research suggests the opposite: later life can be one of the most rewarding times for you to build meaningful friendships.
What You Should Know: Interestingly, this intentional narrowing of friendships isn't a sign of isolation—it’s a reflection of wisdom. It's part of what psychologists call socio-emotional selectivity. As you become more aware of your time being finite, you naturally gravitate toward what truly matters: joyful, life-giving relationships. But that doesn't mean you should close the door on new friendships either. While four close friends may be the magic number for emotional health, staying open to fresh connections and experiences helps prevent loneliness and keeps you engaged with the world.
Key Takeaway: Your friendships in retirement don’t just check a social perk box—they are a vital piece of the puzzle to living well, feeling connected, and thriving in this chapter of life.