It all depends on what you call retirement. My grandfather retired from his medical practice very early and spent his next 30 years playing golf and traveling around the world. He had friends and he had hobbies. My dad also retired relatively early but he had golf, his golfing buddies, puttering around the house, and his first grandson -- I'm convinced he'd still be around if it hadn't been for the cancer. It's the guy who has nothing else in his life other than work who loses meaning to his life on "retirement". I believe most of them lose the will to live because they've lost meaning. I don't think it explains this psycho at all as he appeared to have his own hobbies with flying and gambling.