Seniors Say Age is No Barrier to Happiness

When it comes to being happy and enjoying what life has to offer, seniors say that age is just a number.

According to a new survey by Pew Research, 45 percent of people aged 75 or older say that their life has turned out better than they expected—and only 1 in 20 respondents says their situation turned out worse.

When asked about the benefits of growing older, seniors also displayed a positive attitude. Approximately 70 percent said their golden years afforded them more time to devote to family and relationships.

Meanwhile, roughly two-thirds said they have more time for hobbies, enjoyed enhanced financial security or were relieved from the pressures of having to work.

Some of the benefits cited related to finding balance emotionally and enjoying a stronger sense of self. About 60 percent of respondents said they feel more respected in older age—the same proportion who said they were less likely to experience stress.

"There's a saying that you’re never too old to feel young, and boy, have older Americans today taken that one to heart," Paul Taylor, lead author of the study, told the New York Times.