Forget joining the local rambling society, lots of sex is the key to a contented retirement, according to scientists.
The study, presented yesterday at the Gerontological Society of America, found a significant link between frequency of sexual activity and both general and marital happiness.
The survey of 238 married people aged 65 or older found that almost 80% of those who had sex more than once a month were very happy compared to just 59% of those who had not had sex in the past 12 months and only 40% of those who had abstained for longer than a year.
Professor Adrienne Jackson of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, said: "This study will help open the lines of communication and spark interest in developing 'outside the box' approaches to dealing with resolvable issues that limit or prevent older adults from participating in sexual activity.
"Highlighting the relationship between sex and happiness will help us in developing and organising specific sexual health interventions for this growing segment of our population."