Elder Orphans: Planning Takes Courage, Wisdom and a Village
Many people fall into the elder orphan segment. In fact, research suggests that close to one-quarter of Americans 65 and older could end up with no family to care for them. This makes sense when you consider the fact that one-third of people between the ages of 45 to 63 are single. Read More
What 5-Year-Olds Can Teach Us About Life After 50
“Grandma, you’re weird.” That was my granddaughter’s assessment as I stepped off the train in Edinburgh a few weeks ago and planted a kiss on her cheek. As is always the case when spending time with a 5-year old, the next few days were filled with near misses, endless “whys” and unexpected tears – both the good kind the and the bad kind. Read More
Surprising Retirement Advice from 20 Amazing Older Women
I just love hearing your retirement advice. There seems to be a consensus among the women in our community that retirement isn’t what it used to be. Retirement isn’t just about leaving our jobs – it is about following our passions. It isn’t necessarily about “aging gracefully” – it’s about picking our own “-ly” word. Read More
Elder Orphan: Creating a Plan for Aging Alone
It’s important to build a long-term care and retirement plan early on, especially if you are single and don’t have children. The deeper I go into my sixties, the more I have become aware of the need to thoroughly prepare. Read More
3 Questions to Ask if You Want to Build a Happy Retirement
Over the years, the concept of “retirement” has changed significantly. Our grandparents could expect to live a decade or so after reaching retirement age. Now, with life expectancy at age 65 almost double what it was when the Social Security Administration was founded in 1935, life after retirement is changing. Read More
Why Are There So Many Senior Travel Scams? How Can You Protect Yourself?
We’ve all heard the stories – seniors scammed by telemarketers offering travel deals, or victimized by high-pressure salespersons. Travel scammers are out there, and they seem to have seniors in their sights. Why? Read More
Why the Book “The Secret” is Right for All the Wrong Reasons
A few years ago, Rhonda Byrne’s little book, “The Secret” took the world by storm. Her message was simple: if you want good things to happen to you, start thinking positive thoughts. If you imagine yourself becoming wealthy, the universe will, eventually, shower you with riches. There is even an example in the book that talks about how to use your mind to create open parking spaces. Boy, do I wish that worked for me! Read More
How Old is Old? Is 60 Really the New 40?
How old is old? In most western countries, retirement age is the milestone after which someone becomes “elderly” or a “senior.” But, is this really fair? After all, in 1930, around the time that Social Security was established, a 65-year-old woman could expect to live 12.8 years. By contrast, a woman that turned 65 in 2009 could expect to live 20.3 years. Read More
Do We Really Need a Retirement Age? Or Are We Shooting Ourselves in the Foot?
On the surface, having a retirement age is a fantastic idea. Who could argue with the concept that, after decades in the workforce, people should be able to relax and enjoy the fruits of their labor? Read More
How Long Will I Live? J.P. Morgan Says “Get Ready for 90”
As we approach retirement, many of us are asking “how long will I live?” This question has both emotional and practical consequences. On an emotional level, many of us are searching for new meaning in our lives, now that our kids have left the house. On a practical level, we want to know approximately how many years we have left so that we can make sure that we are financially prepared for the decades ahead. Read More