A 2017 study found 18 to 20 year olds think 57 is old. And as you might expect, Boomers like me think old starts around 84 or 85 years of age. For those who are aware of the increasing odds of reaching the centenarian mark, thinking of themselves as old may not start until they reach their 90’s.

More of our fellow Boomers will live to be 100 than are currently planning for it. Many seem to be trying to hold on to young and avoid embracing ‘old.’

We’ve learned to think of ‘old’ as tired, cranky, feeble, invisible, no longer valuable, dependent, and a host of other adjectives no one wants to apply to themselves.

With decades to live beyond the formal age of retirement, retirement becomes a largely uncharted experience. There are very few celebrations or milestones we all share after retirement and before our final breath – think graduations, promotions, a first marriage or the birth of a child.

When formal retirement was invented and defined as beginning at age 65, life expectancy was less than 65 so the majority of individuals’ eligible for any retirement didn’t live long enough to collect it.

Today’s Centenarians Never Expected to Live So Long

From what I’ve been able to glean from writings and research on today’s centenarians (individuals who made it to the 100 year mark), they didn’t have a plan, never expected to live as long as they have.

Whether you’ve never wanted to live to be 100, or you’ve always thought you would, you might just end up on the doorstep to your second century.

Let’s Explore What’s Next

Come along with me while I try to make the most of the next 30 years in every area of my life from purpose to staying healthy, where to live and relationships.