I’m 66, recently retired and financially secure — but we’re left with no social circle as our kids develop their own lives. How can I avoid boredom without going back to work?

You may feel at loose ends in retirement if your kids have established their own lives and you don't have a big social circle. But what if you neither need nor want to go back to work?

The good news is that there are plenty of other things you can do that don’t require you to punch a clock (although part-time gigs are an option as they come with pretty flexible hours).

Whatever you do, it is vital to fill your time meaningfully so that you can thrive not just financially, but physically and mentally.

Why boredom is such a problem for retirees

A 2024 MassMutual survey found that 67% of retirees reported being happier than they were during their working years. The survey found that the happiest retirees were those who filled their free time with multiple activities, including spending time with loved ones, exercising and hobbies.

By contrast, nearly half of the retirees who were not happier expressed feelings of loneliness. A recent Transamerica survey bears this out. In the survey, 17% of retirees reported feeling isolated and lonely and 47% didn’t have an active social life. Among this group, 24% said they felt anxious and depressed often.

This is consistent with a 2020 National Institutes of Health study that found that retirees experience higher depression levels than the general population.

One thing retired seniors struggle with is lack of structure. Work can serve as an anchor, giving people shape to their day and a reason to leave the house. Without a job, it's natural to feel a little lost.

Create your own structure by carving out space for ongoing activities. Here are a few ideas:

• Volunteer. You’ll not only be contributing to a cause you care about, but expanding your social circle. See if you can leverage your life and work experience by serving as a leader or mentor.
• Start a book club. Rather than simply check out books from the library each week, turn your love of reading into a recurring social event.
• Sign up for social activities. See if any houses of worship or community centers in your neighborhood offer social groups and activities. Many of these are low- or no-cost.
• Join a gym for the health and social benefits. As a bonus, if you have a Medicare Advantage plan, your membership may be covered. The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that in 2024, 95% of Medicare Advantage plans offered a fitness benefit.
• Indulge in hobbies. Sure, you could go out and buy a knit blanket for your living room. But with time on your hands, why not knit one yourself if that's something you enjoy?

Things to do ahead of retirement to avoid being bored

It's a shame to work hard and save well for retirement only to end up unhappy. So just as you plan for wealth, plan for wellness.

Retire to an area where you have built-in supports.

Assess your social network and figure out if your neighborhood is conducive to meeting people. If you live in a more spread-out suburban area, it may be harder for you to get out and mingle.

Consider relocating to a more densely populated area or a senior living community with on-site amenities.

If your grown kids and grandchildren live three hours away, moving closer and being a part of their everyday lives could not only stave off boredom, but give you a greater sense of purpose.

Do the groundwork for a “fun business” before retirement kicks off.

It doesn’t have to be a money-maker, just something you’re passionate about. For example, if you love baking, get a license to prepare goods for sale in your kitchen and set up a website to take orders. If you’re a woodworking enthusiast, you can build and sell homemade furniture.

The goal is to have consistent tasks to keep busy. Then you can say goodbye to boredom and hello to a happier retirement.