Is a post secondary education degree worth attaining after retirement?  As a proponent of life long learning my opinion is a resounding yes.

Using the degree to support your own employment aspirations is an unlikely objective (although possible) in the case of entering a degree granting program in the latter part of your life.   Still though there is value in just the opportunity for knowledge growth.

Learning Opportunities are Endless

The value in gaining new (i.e., previously unknown to you) facts, information, and skills  through experience or formal education to enhance your theoretical or practical understanding of a subject does not stop until you die.

Learning can have both a direct value and an indirect one.  On the direct side for example enhanced skills can form the foundation for improved work and compensation opportunities.

The indirect benefits are harder to quantify but just as impactful if perhaps not even more so than the obvious gains associated with an enhanced work environment.  Keeping your brain healthy will enhance and elongate your life yet it is not fully measurable.

Effort Required

The most common description I hear about peoples retirement aspirations is “take it easy, relax, enjoy yourself”.  While learning can require significant effort it also can be fun, relaxing and enjoyable.

In fact even the most common retirement activities like golfing, fishing or playing games (like chess)require skill.  To continually improve and hopefully enjoy the “play” more constant learning is needed.

Post retirement formal degree focused education does not have the same win or lose attributes associated with it as when you are younger and can be just as much fun  (depending on your attitude perhaps more fun) as the more traditional retirement activities.

Give it a try, you may be surprised.