How to Live Your Best Life After 65

Approximately 10,000 people a day turn 65. This can be likened to a tsunami of change, requiring attention and proactive measures with implications that are still uncertain. Various sectors, including businesses, government and nonprofits, will need to focus their efforts on addressing the challenges that arise. This includes considerations for Social Security and Medicare, which play crucial roles in supporting older adults.

Many of these people are realizing that they have an additional 30 years or more of life ahead of them. And businesses are also beginning to recognize the importance of adapting to this shift, with an increasing number of companies sponsoring events and summits focused on the needs of and opportunities presented by this aging population.

When I wrote ROAR, I was frustrated with the usual retirement narrative. Everyone expected me to relax and play golf, but I wanted more. I joined the Stanford Center on Longevity and realized that with 30-plus healthy years ahead, everything changes. We’re the first generation to have this gift of extra time, and our kids will have even longer lives. It’s exciting, but we need to stay engaged and find purpose.

I’ve always loved travel and adventure, so I knew I wanted more of that. I also decided to go back to school and get a master’s in nonprofit management. Along the way, I met many people who were reinventing their lives after 50. I realized this was a movement, and I needed to capture their stories—that’s what inspired me to write ROAR.

With this extended lifespan normalization of living to 90 years or beyond, we’ve seen a unique opportunity for individuals to redefine what their lives will look like. There is a growing focus on staying engaged, purposeful and involved in activities that bring fulfillment and meaning to one’s life.

ROAR Warrior

Our ROAR acronym guides people through this process: Reimagine yourself; Own who you are; Act on what’s next; and Reassess your relationships. It’s about making reimagination a daily practice and having the tools to make it happen.

For some individuals, this approach is met with resistance and skepticism. The process of reimagining one’s life in the second half involves self-reflection, exploration and taking action. It requires individuals to identify their passions, interests and strengths. This process can be facilitated through various tools and exercises, such as identifying descriptive words that capture one’s essence and seeking feedback from trusted individuals. By leveraging these insights, one can create a road map for the future and pursue passions with purpose and intention.

Perhaps the biggest misconception is that you can’t do certain things because of your age. That’s not true. Neuroplasticity means you can always learn and grow. We need to focus on what’s “person-appropriate,” not “age-appropriate.”

ROAR-ing Forward

ROAR Forward helps this process as a membership program that provides access to benefits and resources. The community is made up of professional and managerial types who are seeking to navigate this transformative phase with guidance and support.

Members receive a quarterly comprehensive report covering various aspects of longevity with valuable insights and research on health, wellness, finance, career and personal growth. Other regular bulletins are delivered biweekly with curated content and actionable ideas. Digital Zoom sessions and exclusive invitations to events throughout the year bring opportunities to network with like-minded individuals, learn from experts in the field, and gain practical insights and strategies. This is about “rewirement,” not retirement.

Michael Clinton is the founder and CEO of ROAR Forward, an intelligence, insights and content platform focused on the new longevity movement. He serves on the board of the Stanford Center on Longevity and is a globally recognized speaker on the dynamically changing market demographic of individuals aged 50-plus who now comprise 35 percent of the population. He is the author of the bestselling book ROAR: Into the Second Half of Your Life (Before It’s Too Late). Learn more at ROARForward.com.