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Concurrent changes in sleep and cognitive function during retirement transition: the Finnish retirement and aging
Tea Teräs1,2, Saana Myllyntausta3, Jaana Pentti4,5,6
1Department of Public Health, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland. tea.t.teras@utu.fi.
European Journal of Ageing
|August 7, 2025
Summary
Retirement transition temporarily boosts cognitive function, but this improvement is not linked to changes in sleep duration or difficulties. Sleep patterns did not influence cognitive gains during this life stage.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Sleep Science
Background:
- Retirement transition is linked to altered sleep patterns and potential cognitive changes.
- The interplay between sleep and cognition during retirement is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate concurrent changes in sleep and cognitive function during the retirement transition.
- To determine if sleep alterations influence cognitive trajectories post-retirement.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 250 Finnish public sector workers transitioning to retirement.
- Objective sleep monitoring using ActiGraph accelerometers and subjective sleep assessment via Jenkins Sleep Problem Scale.
- Comprehensive cognitive function assessment using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB®).
Main Results:
- Cognitive function, excluding reaction time, showed temporary improvement during the 1-year retirement transition.
- Improvements in learning, memory, working memory, and executive functions plateaued post-retirement.
- No significant associations were found between changes in sleep duration or sleep difficulties and cognitive function trajectories.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive function experiences a transient enhancement during retirement transition.
- This cognitive improvement appears independent of concurrent changes in sleep characteristics.
- Further research is needed to explore other factors influencing cognition during retirement.
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