How Much Happiness Can Money Buy? Survey Says...

(CBS) Money really can buy happiness, but only about $75,000 worth, if you believe the results of a new study.

It found that the happiest Americans are those with an annual household income of $75,000 or more. Eighty-two percent of people at that income level reported being somewhat or very happy.

The saddest Americans? It's unemployed people (46 percent somewhat or very happy) and people who are separated but not divorced (48 percent happy).

The study, conducted in July by Keirsey Research, of San Mateo, Calif., was based on a survey of  3,900 Americans.

The survey also found that:

• Extroverts are happier than introverts.
  

• Happiness increases as people get older, though happiness takes a dip between the ages of 35 and 44, when demands of career and parenting may be greatest.
  

• Empty-nesters tend to be particularly happy, with seven out of 10 indicating that they were somewhat or very happy.

• Democrats and Republicans are equally happy. Green Party types? Not so much. Only 52 percent reported being somewhat or very happy.

What's the message, then, for all the young, separated environmentalists who are out of a job?