Survey says people happiest at age 33; does it go downhill from there?

At what age do you think people are happiest? (AP)

Is 33 the best year of your life? A new survey says it is, but what happens after that? 97.3 KIRO FM’s Dori Monson Show debated where they think things start going south.

Monson said he’d definitely peg 33 as a great year. “If there was one age I could stay forever, it’d be 33.”

And while he said he’s very grateful for his life now at 50, he has a problem with those people that say things continue to get better and better, year after year.

“I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but the only people who are 50 years old who say life’s never been better are showing early signs of dementia, because they’ve forgotten how awesome it was when they were 33,” said Monson.

Reporter Ursula Reutin who hasn’t hit 50 yet disagreed, adding she’s loving things in her 40s.

“I would not trade what’s happening in my life right now. I love it. You finally get the financial stability, the work, life balance in your 40s.”

Ursula said while she might not mind reverting back to her looks in her 20s or 30s, “I still think there’s great things to come ahead too.”

Monson’s producer Jake, age 28, perhaps biased because he hasn’t yet reached the supposed happiest age, was optimistic, like Ursula. When asked when he thinks his best year will come, Jake said, “next year. Probably always next year,” forecasting a continued year-over-year rise in happiness.

Ursula propped up her dad, who just turned 80, as an example.

“My dad just celebrated his 81st birthday, granted his knees hurt and all of that, but he is thankful he made it to that point.”

“As I will be,” said Monson, “and we all shall be, if we are fortunate enough. But are you telling me your dad is going to say this is the best part of life right now? There’s a point where it turns down.”

“It’s silly to say at 80, or 70, or even at 50, that it’s the best life’s ever been,” said Monson.

Jake and Ursula conceded there must be a point that things start to move in the other direction.

Monson suggests at age 50, he’s reached that year.

“I actually think every year has been better than the last, up until now.”

The year is not done yet, and Ursula, Dori and Jake can’t speak to what comes after 50. Do you think 50 is the point things start going downhill?

Monson in a Minute: Dori says getting old
isn’t as fun as living his 33rd year.

Listen to the full discussion in the podcast.

By JAMIE GRISWOLD, MyNorthwest.com Editor