Difficulties can also arise when one member of a married couple retires early in order to spend time with a retired spouse. Often early retirement means a loss of pension funds and other benefits. If the couple cannot agree on a plan for their leisure years, the financial loss incurred by retirement cannot be justified. In addition to financial concerns, retirement can also trigger psychological changes. A job provides an individual with constant recognition.
Many people feel an unexpected loss of recognition when they finally leave the workplace.
In order to fill this need after retirement, social interaction and alliance with a group of like-minded people are key. Becoming a member of a club or joining a group of community volunteers before leaving the job can give the retiree an immediate social connection and recognition as a valued individual. The psychology of retirement is also tied to physical health when retirement is not planned by testing free time. The individual can become depressed and anxious. These feelings can lead to a wide variety of health problems including sleeplessness and changes in eating patterns.