This retirement planning gap is 'hidden in plain sight,' Harvard professor says

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Planning for retirement often focuses on one’s finances: When to claim Social Security and how much to save in a 401(k) plan, for example. Investing in strong social connections, whether with a partner, friends, family or others, is arguably just as important. The Harvard Study of Adult Development shows having meaningful relationships are the strongest predictor of living long, happy and healthy lives. It’s never too late to improve yours. Jose Luis Pelaez | Stone | Getty Images

For many people, retirement planning is all about money: how to invest, how much to save, when to claim Social Security, how to best withdraw from accounts. The list goes on.

Finances in retirement are an acute fear. About 2 in 3 people worry more about running out of money than death, according to a recent poll by Allianz Life.

Yet, there’s a notable lack of attention and concern given to the social aspect of retirement, experts said.

It’s a facet of retirement planning that’s almost “hidden in plain sight,” said Robert Waldinger, a clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.

Waldinger is the fourth director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, which began in 1938. The study, the longest running of its kind, has tracked thousands of Americans throughout their lives and across different generations for the past 86 years.

A core (and perhaps surprising) finding: Having good relationships — whether with partners, friends, family or others — is the “strongest predictor” of living long, healthy and happy lives into old age, more so than health factors like high blood pressure and cholesterol, Waldinger said.

Money is the “obvious” focus when it comes to retirement planning, Waldinger said.

“[But] if you want to be happy, it’s mostly not about the money,” he added.

Put another way: “Social connections are really good for us” and “loneliness kills,” Waldinger explained in a 2015 TED Talk titled “What makes a good life?” It’s one of the most viewed TED Talks of all time.

How stress impacts our health

Relationships play a big role in preventing and relieving stress.

When someone is stressed, their body revs up into a fight-or-flight mode, triggering reactions like an increased heart rate, Waldinger said.

Having someone to talk to or even complain to at the end of the day about a

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