Old age is tops for happiness

PEOPLE’S happiness dips when they reach their 40s – but starts to climb again by the age of 50 and into retirement.

The fi ndings from insurer Aviva suggest happiness increases with age.

Fewer than two in fi ve ( 38 per cent) aged 40 to 49 years describe themselves as either extremely or quite happy, compared with nearly half ( 47 per cent) of thirtysomethings.

But levels bounce back for the 50 to 59- year- old bracket, with 43 per cent calling themselves happy.

Good cheer climbs into retirement, with 51 per cent aged 60 to 64 described as happy, nudging up to 59 per cent of 65 to 74- year- olds.

Two- thirds ( 66 per cent) aged 75- plus describe themselves as happy.

Many in their 40s are in the squeezed middle bracket of having both dependent children and ageing parents to consider.

Retired people are twice as likely to be extremely happy as those still working, at 14 per cent versus seven per cent.

Those retired for more than 10 years report even higher levels of happiness, with 16 per cent extremely happy.

And nearly two- thirds of retirees feel retirement is better than they had expected, says the study of 6,000 people.