As most of the U.S. started daylight saving time there are those states who do not observe the switch. Arizona and Hawaii, as well as some American territories have followed the old native saying, "Only a white man would cut two inches from the bottom of his blanket, sew it to the top, and think he has a longer blanket."
So, spring is here, and the longer days have set in as we march towards June 21, which is the longest day. Many folks today don't know why the daylight saving time (DST) program was started. At the time, there were some good reasons. First, in 1918, when DST was instituted, we were in WWI, and an extra hour of daylight time would save fuel needed for the war effort—the same thing happened during WWII.
The pros and cons of continuing DST are all over the place. A couple of examples: dairy farmers complain that no matter what time it is, the cows must be milked at the same time every day. Golf courses like extra daylight as golfers will stay and play that extra round. The golf industry claims it gains between $200-400 million in additional greens fees. Many outdoor sports groups share this group's feeling as more daylight, more time to play, and being active and healthy.
Whether you are a fan of DST or not, make sure you enjoy the extra sunshine and longer days ahead!
By David Edge
David Edge is a retirement lifestyle writer and contributor to the ARA monthly newsletter. His articles blend personal stories with practical insights on living well in retirement.
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Easy Eddie's Take
David brings up something that affects us all twice a year, but here's what many people don't realize about daylight saving time and retirement. A lot of folks ask me, "Does the time change affect my Social Security payments or Medicare enrollment deadlines?" The good news is that Social Security Administration payments and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services deadlines stay on schedule regardless of the clock change.
But here's what I do see with my Arizona neighbors who don't deal with the spring and fall time switches: they have fewer disruptions to their medication schedules and doctor appointments. If you're managing multiple prescriptions or regular medical visits, those twice-yearly time changes can throw off your routine. Medicare Part D plans and Medicare Advantage plans often have specific timing requirements for prescription refills, and staying consistent with your schedule makes everything smoother.
Think of it this way: retirement is about creating routines that work for you, whether that includes an extra hour of evening golf or just maintaining steady sleep patterns that keep you feeling your best.