Sixty isn’t the new 50 – it’s even better than that! Lifecare looks at the many reasons there is so much to look forward to in later life, if we look after ourselves
Are you young, old, or ‘young-old’? If you can’t put yourself in a category, it’s because you don’t need to! Society once considered us to be entering our ‘twilight years’ somewhere in our 60s, but the global increase in life expectancy due to better health, our ability and desire to work longer, and the contentment that comes with financial security now means this age bracket is something we no longer fear from middle age. In fact, we can’t wait to get there.
Now a dictionary defined term, ‘young-old’ is a person who is “old in years but having the characteristics of youth,” and its usage is steadily overtaking the increasingly incorrect descriptions of ‘senior citizen’, ‘retiree’ and ‘elderly’, when it comes to the 65-plus population.
Here’s a little Lifecare recap on the huge benefits we can look forward to in later life, providing we look after ourselves!
It’s all about you
Raising children, caring for parents, climbing the corporate ladder, starting a business, evenings filled with family schedules, objectives and life admin… Our 20s, 30s, 40s and even 50s can be totally consumed by a long list of priorities, with ourselves plummeting to the bottom. But after all that selflessness, there comes a ‘sweet spot’ where we can – and should! – sit back, reflect, and take great pleasure in shifting the balance.
If you’ve spent decades longing for the time to turn your hand to yoga, learn a language, take an impromptu trip, head out for a long walk with no deadline attached, or even read a book that isn’t work or child-focused – your 60s are likely to be the years you relish in your ability to finally be able to pursue these activities, safe in the knowledge you deserve them!
The body of a 20-year-old!
This one won’t come without work, but a number of recent studies around the world have identified exercise as the single most powerful predictor of whether we will age well. Researchers at King’s College London who studied two groups of endurance cyclists – those aged 55 to 79 and those aged 20 to 29 – found the two groups had very similar immune systems, strength and muscle mass. In fact, they could not tell how old the cyclists were by looking at the physiological data, only by their outward appearance.
With the physical ability and energy of a 20-something, plus plenty of free time to utilise both, it’s easy to see why so many are swapping apprehension for excitement as they age!
Peace of mind
One of the continual conversations that Lifecare’s financial planners have with members is how to strike a balance between saving for later life, and spending what we have in our younger years, while we are fit and able. But with modern healthcare, medical technologies, and the emergence of a ‘young-old’ generation now excited to seize the day, we are very much of the view that saving to have these experiences in later life is the sensible thing to do. The peace of mind that comes with money in the bank, plus the wisdom, breathing space and lack of dependants to be considered when it comes to spending it – is an enviable position to be in, and one that we are here to help you achieve.
Financial planning is about setting targets and goals, and putting plans in place to achieve those goals, but with some guidance, it certainly doesn’t need to take the fun and adventure out of everyday life.
Lifecare offers a wealth of advice and tailored options to ensure our members feel financially secure at all stages of life.
Talk to our team today by calling +971 (0)4 331 8688 or by clicking here.