Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he is ending his campaign for reelection. He said he believes it is in the best interest of his party and the country. His decision seems to prioritize the nation’s health over his own self-interest and well-being.
President Joe Biden's legacy of accomplishment is unmatched in modern American history.
We are deeply grateful for his leadership and service to our nation. pic.twitter.com/fLAOUlfZ4V
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) July 23, 2024
It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve as vice president to President @JoeBiden.
Joe's legacy of accomplishment is unmatched in modern history. pic.twitter.com/tMQrerMYu5
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) July 23, 2024
Stepping away from a high-powered job is difficult for many Americans, especially for highly educated men who have worked past 65. Sarah Damaske, who studies gender and labor at Pennsylvania State University, says there is an expectation that work is part of their identity for these men. Losing this identity can have serious consequences.
Being president has likely taken a toll on Biden. He has shown signs of significant cognitive and physical decline during his term. Leaving the presidency in January will bring new cognitive challenges.
President @JoeBiden’s legacy of accomplishment is unmatched in modern history. We are deeply grateful for his service. pic.twitter.com/1Z8oTym5UR
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) July 22, 2024
Joseph Coughlin, the founder and director of the MIT AgeLab, says when people are at the center of their universe through their job, society doesn’t have an attractive enough storyline or place to say, “Maybe I’ve had enough.” This can affect cognitive and emotional health. When a person starts to define himself by the past, he shifts his focus from present and future to past experiences with negative mental health outcomes, including depression and a sense that their experiences are no longer relevant. Many Americans in high-powered positions into their 70s, 80s, and beyond do so out of concern over who they would be without the job.
S. K. Park, 88, a former psychiatrist and professor, never wanted to retire but did so at 84.
“All of a sudden, life kind of stopped,” he said, unsure of how to provide value to his community. Stepping away from work, which can offer identity, routine, social network, and purpose, is linked to several ill effects on health, especially for older adults, including declines in crucial cognitive skills. Research shows that 28 percent of retirees suffer from depression.
Balancing identity and retirement challenges
By comparison, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation suggests that, around the world, 10 to 15 percent of adults age 60 or older experience any kind of mental disorder. Many doctors and professionals are hesitant to retire due to the negative psychological implications of leaving their professional identity.
Stephen Derbes, an 83-year-old rheumatologist, fears that he would become depressed without the responsibilities of his job. The loss of a professional self-identity can be particularly acute for men. According to Jack Maslow, an 82-year-old clinical therapist, men traditionally identify closely with their work, making retirement challenging.
Beth C. Truesdale, a sociologist who studies retirement and aging, says that women often find other ways to create a sense of who they are beyond their work roles. By retirement age, women are more likely to have taken breaks from paid work, been caregivers, maintained social relationships, and volunteered in their communities.
Gary Givler, a 77-year-old retired Episcopal deacon, leads a men’s group for retirees that meets every Monday morning to discuss news, politics, and their lives. Yesterday, the conversation centered on Biden’s announcement and the courage it took to admit he’s no longer the best candidate for the job. “The group thought that Joe did the right thing,” Givler said.
Yet, many of the men expressed ambivalence about their own retirement. Retirement doesn’t have to be accompanied by decline. Mo Wang, a professor at the University of Florida, estimates that retirement has a significant effect on psychological well-being for 5 to 10 percent of people.
Other research shows that people in full retirement tend to fare worse physically than those who engage in bridge employment or volunteering. As Baby Boomers continue to age, more Americans will find themselves in similar positions to Biden, facing delayed retirement and the associated health challenges. Biden’s case highlights the importance of reckoning with one’s work performance and stepping back before it’s too late.
Wang suggests a gradual transition into retirement, starting at age 70, with reduced work hours and increased investment in nonwork interests. For those leaving intense, identity-defining jobs, this can make the shift to retirement smoother and more fulfilling.
