London: It's a research which many may not agree with -- money is the key to a longer and healthier life. Researchers in Britain have found that those with more wealth and better education are less likely to develop illness and tend to die later as compared to those who are poorer and less well-educated.
On the contrary, those with less education and money are more likely to say they are depressed or to suffer from illnesses such as high blood pressure, diabetes or obesity, according to the researchers.
What's more interesting is that the study found that people who get the choice of early retirement are also more likely to enjoy a longer life, 'The Daily Telegraph' reported.
"Early retirement is generally good for people's health and wellbeing unless it has been forced on them. Those forced into early retirement generally have poorer mental health than those who take routine retirement, who in turn have poorer mental health than those who have taken voluntary early retirement," the study said.
The study, commissioned by the Economic and Social Research Council, is based on a series of surveys of 12,000 older people, the effect can be seen most sharply for those in their 50s and 60s although it actually persists as people reach retirement age.
"These findings have implications for us all. Increases in life expectancy raise major challenges for public policy. Among these is the need to respond to marked inequalities in economic position and life expectancy at older ages," Professor James Nazroo, from Manchester University, who carried out the study, said.