By |
Updated 8/17/15 11:15 am | Many Alert1 members are retired and they joined to age in place gracefully. Now how exactly are seniors to determine the best time to retire? Arecent studyfrom the Boston College Center for Retirement Research (CRR) shows that our age of retirement correlates to the age when our parents decided to retire. But that doesn't quite make sense for most seniors, given we all live longer today than we used to. Therefore, it's going to be more important than ever for the modern senior to hold our going values as we age.
In this article, we will give you examples from three savvy super seniors that are aging well and holding their value. Then we'll give you tips on how you can do the same.
Three Seniors Who Have Held Their Value
1. Bill Gates
Bill Gates is no longer Chairman of the board for Microsoft. Instead he's recently taken an active role as Technology Adviser to new CEO Microsoft Satya Nadella. This is in addition to his philanthropic work as a co-chair (along with his wife) for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The now 58-year old Microsoft co-founder fights to alleviate poverty internationally as well as fighting to keep Microsoft strong domestically (and globally). You don’t have to be the co-chair of your own philanthropic organization. Volunteering within the local community helps seniors stay active and engaged in their retirement years.
2. Oprah Winfrey
Oprah. Five letters. Two Syllables. One Global Icon. Once known for her afternoon talk show and its powerful, trendsetting book club, Oprah is now head of her network, OWN, launched in 2011. The 60-year old Oprah also recently starred in the award winning movieThe Butler, as the wife of the eponymous butler who served numerous American presidents. Moreover, Oprah is consistently ranked high in Forbes powerful celebrities list. Her senior celebrity secret to keeping youthful is constantly meditating.
3. Hillary Rodham Clinton
Hillary Rodham Clinton was the most-traveled Secretary of State, having visited over 112 countries during her four-year tenure on the job. As a frontrunner and leading Democrat in her party, Clinton is widely expected to run for the presidency in 2016. The 66-year old former First Lady, Senator from the State of New York Senator and Secretary of State is today focused on the Clinton Foundation, working alongside former President Bill Clinton and her daughter, Chelsea.
Three Things We Can Learn From These Super Seniors
- Take precautions to protect your health. The seniors listed above are a pretty wealthy group, but more important, they are a pretty healthy group. In 2012, Hilliary Clinton had a fall and suffered a concussion. Luckily for her, she had a team of staffers nearby, but most of us aren't going to be so lucky. Alert1 recommends having a fall detection medical alert for just such occasions.
- Stay active and engaged. Though Gates is no longer the centerpiece of the multi-billion dollar corporation he helped co-found, he nonetheless continues to aid Microsoft’s return to innovation and high-tech wizardry. In his retirement, he maintained an active senior life. You need to do the same. Too many seniors make the mistake of retreating into their homes and walling themselves off from the rest of their life. Now is the time to get out there and get engaged.
- Extend your influence in your community. Oprah may not have received the high-ratings she had hoped for with OWN, but she carries enormous influence in lifestyle, television and philanthropy. As a senior you can offer your wisdom and contribute your efforts to the local community. Consider volunteering. Figure out what cause matters to you and why and then go forward and invest your time, energy and efforts into them.
If it works for Oprah, Hillary, and Bill, it could work for you.
