For Gen X, Retirement Is the New Health Risk

Two things opened my eyes this week:

First, I learned retirement might actually damage your brain.

Second, I realized most Gen Xers are falling behind faster than I thought.

For years, retirement sounded like the dream: cruise around in a golf cart sipping craft brews, blasting some Jimmy Buffett, and finally saying goodbye to office politics.

But some research reveals a darker side—retirement may speed up cognitive decline. Memory. Focus. Problem-solving. All at risk the moment you check out.

And let’s be honest: the golf cart joyride isn’t quite as cool if you can’t remember how to drive it. And what fun is Margaritaville if you forget to yell “Salt, salt, salt”?

According to a study published in the Journal of Health Economics, retirement doesn’t just impact your finances—it can actually cause your cognitive abilities to decline faster. Researchers found that retiring at the traditional age often accelerates mental decline, especially verbal memory and critical thinking.

In simple terms, if you stop working too soon, your brain might just stop working too.

Other research backs this up:

• A report from SpringerLink shows that retirement can negatively affect cognitive function, especially verbal memory.

• Another study published on PubMed found that people who maintain a strong sense of purpose significantly lower their risk of dementia.

The message is clear: if you’re not using your brain, you’re losing it.

Gen Xers aren’t just behind on retirement savings—we’re also missing out on the best solution to stay mentally sharp: side hustles.

According to Glassdoor’s Work-Life Trends 2025 report, side hustles aren’t just a bonus—they’re critical for future career and financial security. But Gen X are falling behind Millennials and Gen Z in adopting this new work model.

Especially when we need more than anyone.

This is an issue. Without an good alternative to traditional employment, retirement could do more harm than good.

We need to change that (which, I have an idea on how at the end of this post… stay tuned).

Scientists agree: cognitively stimulating activities keep the brain sharp.

Real-world challenges, structured tasks, and purposeful work are essential.

This is where a digital side hustle come in.

Building a newsletter, podcast, or online business provides exactly the type of structured, stimulating activities your brain craves.

Benefits of digital side hustles include:

• Cognitive Engagement: Continuous learning and creative problem-solving.

• Social Interaction: Engaging with your audience keeps your mind active.

• Financial Stability: Generating recurring income streams reduces stress about future retirement.

And you probably know by now what my favorite side hustle is.

Can you smell what the Cor is cookin?

• Low barrier, high upside. Tools like Beehiiv and ConvertKit make setup stupid simple. No tech degree required.

• Recurring revenue. Get paid through ads, sponsorships, or affiliate offers—week after week.

• Full ownership. Unlike social platforms, you control your list, your message, and your income.

AI tools like ChatGPT can handle the heavy lifting—so you can spend less time grinding and more time thinking.

Ready to start building job-free income that also keeps your brain sharp?

Here are two easy ways to dive in:

Since we’ve been talking Jimmy Buffett, golf carts, and craft brews—and nobody wants to forget the best part of singing “Margaritaville” (hint: “salt, salt, salt!”)—I found a killer live version to get you in that laid-back, island state of mind.

It’s now officially part of my new YouTube playlist, creatively titled (drumroll…) The Redefining Retirement Mixtape (super original I know)

This playlist has all the tunes I’ve shared in the newsletter—perfect background music for kickin’ back Gen X style.

Check it out, and hey, if you’re feeling generous, give the channel a subscribe. Currently rocking exactly one subscriber (thanks, Mom!), and it’s getting lonely over there. Help me make it two?

Retirement doesn’t have to mean slowing down or losing mental agility. It can—and should—be a launchpad into your next fulfilling chapter.

Gen X has a unique opportunity to redefine what retirement means. Instead of escaping work, build something meaningful that sustains your lifestyle and brain health indefinitely.

After all, retirement shouldn’t end your story—it should start a better one.

P.S. Remember that super-short survey I sent last week? If it got buried in your inbox, no worries—here’s another shot! Your answers help me whip up exactly what you need (and want) to make Gen X retirement more awesome. It’ll take just 2 minutes—promise!

I got a bunch of great responses already. Make sure you get heard too!