Faith and spirituality can anchor retirees, providing community and emotional support. Moss found that attending religious services at least twice a year boosts happiness, with weekly attendance making retirees 1.5 times more likely to be among the happiest.

For Military Retirees: Frequent relocations during service may have disrupted spiritual routines. In retirement, seek out faith-based communities or veteran-friendly churches to establish roots. These groups can offer both spiritual fulfillment and a sense of belonging in your new civilian life.

Close relationships are a cornerstone of happiness in retirement. Moss’s surveys reveal that happy retirees have an average of 3.6 confidants, compared to 2.6 for the unhappiest. For military retirees, transitioning from tight-knit military communities to civilian life can feel isolating.

For Military Retirees: Engage with veteran organizations like the American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars. These groups provide camaraderie and understanding, helping you forge new friendships. Local clubs or online forums for retirees can also expand your social circle.

Good health is essential for an active and enjoyable retirement. Moss emphasizes the importance of a nutritional plan, such as the Mediterranean Diet, and staying physically active. Mental health is equally critical, as the shift to civilian life can bring emotional challenges.

For Military Retirees: Leverage your military fitness discipline by joining veteran-friendly gyms or sports leagues. Resources like the VA’s mental health services can support emotional well-being, ensuring you stay healthy to enjoy retirement activities.

Relationships, particularly marriage, significantly impact retirement happiness. Moss notes that unmarried retirees are four times more likely to be unhappy, though a single divorce doesn’t drastically reduce happiness. Military life can strain relationships due to deployments and relocations.

For Military Retirees: Use retirement to reconnect with your spouse through shared activities like travel or hobbies. If single, consider joining social groups for veterans or retirees to build meaningful connections. Strengthening these bonds can enhance your retirement joy.

A mortgage-free or nearly paid-off home significantly boosts retirement happiness. Moss’s research shows that retirees within five years of paying off their mortgage are four times more likely to be happy. Military pensions provide a stable income, which can help achieve this goal.

For Military Retirees: If still serving, accelerate mortgage payments using your pension planning. In retirement, explore downsizing or refinancing to reduce housing costs, freeing up resources for other pursuits.

Family dynamics shift in retirement, particularly with adult children. Moss advises setting boundaries on financial support, noting that unhappy retirees spend significantly more (over $2,000/month) on adult children compared to happy retirees ($500/month). Living near at least 25% of your family also enhances happiness.

For Military Retirees: Choose a retirement location near family, if possible, to foster emotional connections. Communicate clear financial boundaries with adult children to maintain healthy relationships without straining your retirement budget.

While military pensions provide a foundation, Moss suggests a minimum liquid net worth of $500,000 for a worry-free retirement. This cushion offers flexibility and peace of mind.

For Military Retirees: Maximize contributions to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) during your service years. In retirement, consider part-time consulting or teaching to supplement your pension and savings, ensuring financial security.

To make savings last, Moss recommends the 4% rule, which suggests withdrawing no more than 4% of your savings annually, adjusted for inflation and market conditions.

For Military Retirees: Combine your pension with investment income for a diversified financial plan. Regularly consult a financial advisor to review your withdrawal strategy, ensuring your funds support a long and fulfilling retirement.

Investing in dividend-paying stocks or other income-generating assets provides a steady retirement income. Moss emphasizes focusing on long-term stability rather than short-term market fluctuations.

For Military Retirees: Explore dividend-focused ETFs or mutual funds within your TSP or IRA. These investments can complement your pension, providing consistent income with minimal management.

Retirement is a new chapter filled with opportunities for growth, connection, and joy. For military officers, the habits outlined in What the Happiest Retirees Know offer a roadmap to navigate the transition from service to civilian life. By cultivating curiosity, nurturing relationships, prioritizing health, and managing finances wisely, you can build a retirement that is not only secure but also deeply fulfilling. As Wes Moss’s research shows, happiness in retirement isn’t just about money—it’s about creating a life rich in purpose and community.