The New Retirement Math: Why 65 Is Just the Beginning

 When my brother came home from the Senior Summer Games, he shook his head in amazement. At 75+, he competed in the doubles tennis event. He and his partner fought hard but came in second, beaten by a pair of players who were 95 and 85 years old. “It used to be easy,” he said with a chuckle. “When I first moved into this age category, I could outrun the older players. Now, they’re catching up, or passing me!”

This story flips the script on aging. For decades, the common narrative has been that retirement marks the slowdown of life. But the truth is changing. School may last 12 to 20 years. A career can stretch 35 to 45 years. But retirement? It could now span 30 years, or more. That’s an entire adult lifetime.

The Old Formula Doesn’t Work

The traditional retirement model was built for a time when life expectancy was shorter. Retire at 65, enjoy a few quiet years, then fade into the background. But with people living well into their 80s, 90s, and beyond, this formula leaves us unprepared for the length and complexity of modern retirement.

The 95-year-old tennis player wasn’t winding down. He was competing, striving, thriving. That’s a better picture of what retirement can be: active, intentional, and resilient.

Four Pillars of Retirement Readiness

·        Physical health, Staying fit and active is not optional; it’s essential. Longevity without vitality doesn’t serve us.

·        Emotional well-being, Retirement can leave a gap in identity. We need friendships, communities, and new roles to fill that void.

·        Financial security,  Money is not just about survival; it’s about options. Retirement funds must cover decades, not just years.

·        Creative purpose, Whether through art, volunteering, travel, or learning, creativity fuels meaning and joy in later life.

A Life Stage to Be Designed

We no longer have the luxury, or the limitation, of thinking of retirement as “the end.” Instead, it’s another chapter, as long as school or work. That means we can, and must, design it intentionally.

Just like students map out their education and professionals plan careers, retirees need to imagine what they want to create in their third act. It’s about asking, “What’s next?”

My brother’s story of the silver medal is proof: retirement isn’t about decline, it’s about redefinition. At 95, you might still be winning tennis tournaments. At 85, you might be coaching, painting, or leading community projects. At 75, you might be learning to play an instrument or writing your memoir.

The old timeline is outdated. The new math tells us that retirement is not a pause, it’s a pursuit.