Can The Golden Girls Give You The Best Retirement?

Could living with friends lead to a happier and healthier retirement? Could it help solve many of the financial woes facing Baby Boomers and Gen Xers who haven’t saved enough for retirement? One might argue that the Golden Girls hold the key to a happier and healthier retirement .

For those unfamiliar with the iconic show from the 1980s, The Golden Girls was about four older ladies who lived together. Rose, Sophia and Blanche were all widows, and Dorothy was a divorcée.

If you want to have a happier retirement, consider a living arrangement similar to the Golden Girls. You could be surrounded by friends, save money and enjoy late night cheesecake.

Recently, my friends and I had dinner and ended up discussing this exact topic. Still in our thirties and early forties, we weren’t ready to give up our freedom at commit to living as roommates in our golden years. But, we did think it would be fun for all of us to own homes next to each other, or live in the same condo building, which would essentially be the modern-day Golden Girls retirement. Cocktails by the community pool anyone? With our husbands with us at dinner, we hoped to skip the divorce and widower parts of the story.

Television Series: Golden Girls L to R: Estelle Getty, Rue McClanahan, Bea Arthur, Betty White.(AP… [+]

Loneliness is never part of anyone’s retirement plan

Numerous studies have shown that loneliness can have negative effects on your health in retirement. Similar research has also indicated that loneliness is a risk factor for all kinds of diseases from cardiovascular ailments to Alzheimer’s, to strokes and even diabetes.

Fortunately, there are a variety of ways for today’s aging population to combat this problem. For example, my grandmother-in-law moved into a senior housing community recently and absolutely loves it. One of the many benefits is the fact that there is a built-in social life with activities and friends right there. She is active and still drives at the age of 85. However, that is not the case for everyone in her community.

Similar to my grandmother-in-law, the Golden Girls also had a support group. They had each other to rely on when times were hard. Perhaps living like my grandmother-in-law or the Golden Girls won’t solve all of your problems, but it could help reduce potential health risks resulting from loneliness during your retirement years. At the very least they avoided becoming elder orphans.

From left, Golden Girls Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan and Betty White arrive at the TV Land Awards on… [+]

Living alone is Expensive

Just thinking ahead for myself, my basic bills will be roughly the same whether I live alone or have a full house. If I had my own Blanche, Dorothy, Rose and Sophia living with me, my gas and electric bills would increase. However, my property taxes, mortgage, Netflix, cable and Internet would still cost the same. Think of how much more money you would have if you could split all of your bills four ways?

Granted, not everything would be perfect. You could have to put up with Rose’s moronic St. Olaf stories or the incessant creaking of Blanche’s bed. I’ll save the conversation about having your mother live with you for another time – like Dorothy and Sophia.

Keeping you out of Shady Pines

Remember how much Sophia hated the nursing home she lived in after her stroke? Living with others may just help you avoid situations like that.

You may end up happier and healthier, which is the best-case scenario. You might also receive cash from your roommates, which could be used to pay for extra care around the house. That care may have been cost prohibitive if you lived alone. You may also have peace of mind knowing that someone will hear if you yell, “Help! I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.” Who else remembers those commercials from the 80s and 90s?

Those without children tend to be extra concerned about how they will be cared for in their golden years. Throughout The Golden Girls series, viewers watched the four women come to rescue of one another when a health crisis arose. All of the ladies faced some type of health crisis, at some point during the show’s run. It’s times like those when people often underestimate having someone they can count on to be there for them. Having someone they can count on to take them to and from medical appointments or picking up medication when they are bed ridden, can be a big stress reliever.

The cast of the “Golden Girls” accepts the pop culture award at the TV Land Awards on Sunday June 8,… [+]

For those not ready for Roommates

Consider joining a community group or some type of activity geared towards senior adults if having roommates isn’t a possibility for you. My paternal grandfather was near death until he moved into a senior facility. Once there, his health and quality of life drastically improved. He also had more years of dancing and dating. He literally danced into his 90s until the time of his death.

If you are concerned about how you will fill your days once you retire or how you will afford to stay in your home once you don’t have a paycheck, consider creating a Golden Girls version for yourself. You probably won’t even have to move to Miami. People are doing this type of thing across the country.

You may also enjoy the Golden Girls Retirement Plan.  Or stream the show on Hulu or in reruns on TV Land.