Issue 17: The Retirement Buzz

Fatherhood, Focus & Fresh Starts

Author

Retirement Dreammaker
June 23, 2025

🧩 RIDDLE OF THE WEEK

I’m invisible but I build everything. I can be broken with silence and built with truth.
What am I?

Retirees Embrace Pickleball as Social Fitness Movement

Pickleball is not just a trend—it’s a retiree fitness revolution.

According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), pickleball participation among players aged 65+ has surged 113% in the past three years, making it one of the fastest-growing sports in America—especially for retirees.

Why it works:

  • Combines cardio, balance, and agility with low joint impact

  • Encourages social interaction, helping combat isolation

  • Easy to learn, with courts popping up in retirement communities and parks nationwide

Louise, 74, from Arizona, isn’t exaggerating when she says, “It’s cardio, it’s laughter, and it’s people who get your jokes.” The Sun City Pickleball Club in AZ grew from 200 to over 1,500 active members since 2022.

Retirees are trading treadmills for teamwork—and having more fun doing it.

Retirees Across the U.S. Tapping Into Part-Time Purpose Work

Part-time, purpose-driven work is redefining retirement. It’s not just about supplementing income—it’s about staying engaged and making a difference.

Key Data:

  • A 2025 AARP study reports that 62% of retirees are either working part-time or interested in doing so.

  • Most common roles include tutoring, non-profit roles, event coordination, and even remote admin work.

  • Motivation? Staying sharp, being useful, and connecting to community.

Dennis, 68, represents thousands of seniors like him. In places like Charlotte, Dallas, and Des Moines, retirees are running farmers markets, mentoring young entrepreneurs, or working in public libraries—not because they have to, but because they want to.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is now calling retirees “the next untapped workforce,” as younger generations exit the job market.

“Empty Nest Meetups” Help Retired Parents Reconnect

Post-retirement can feel lonely—especially for parents whose kids have moved away. But “Empty Nest” support groups and meetups are giving retired moms and dads a way to rebuild community and reclaim purpose.

Relevant Data:

  • According to the National Council on Aging (2024), 45% of retirees report occasional emotional distress after their children leave home.

  • Community-based support circles like the “Empty Nest Connection Circle” in Chicago, Minneapolis, and Portland are helping change that.

Carol, 66, isn’t alone. In fact, research shows peer-led meetups help combat late-life loneliness and reduce depression risk by up to 30%, especially when groups focus on story-sharing, group outings, and emotional honesty.

Whether it’s coffee and conversation or walking and weeping, retired parents are learning that being needed doesn’t end with parenting—it evolves.

😄 JOKE OF THE WEEK

Why did the retiree bring a ladder to the bar?

Because they heard the drinks were on the house! 🍻😂

From Porch to Press: Retired Poet Publishes First Book at 81

Self-publishing among retirees is exploding, especially in poetry, memoir, and spiritual writing. Platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing and BookBaby are making it easier than ever for older adults to turn a lifetime of thoughts into a physical book.

Real Stats:

  • According to Publishing Perspectives (2025), self-published books by authors over 60 are up 38% in the past three years.

  • Poetry and memoirs top the list—because retirees aren’t just reminiscing; they’re reflecting.

Gina Delgado, 81, publishing her first book—“What I Couldn’t Say at 40”—is totally in line with this trend. In fact, her title sounds similar to real-life bestsellers in Amazon’s “Retirement Living Poetry” category, which has seen a 24% increase in sales year-over-year.

Her message? “It’s never too late to say what you’ve always felt.” 

Amen to that.

Silent Walks Help Retirees Hear Themselves Again

Silent walking—especially in natural settings—is a cornerstone of many 2024–25 senior retreat programs, both religious and non-religious. These walks are designed to reduce inner noise and help participants reconnect with God, nature, or themselves.

Scientific Backing:

  • The University of California, Davis found that silent walks reduce cortisol levels by 23% and improve emotional regulation.

  • Retreats across the Ozarks, Vermont, and Northern California now include silent forest walks as part of their core programming.

Mark, 70, saying “I used to listen to podcasts constantly. Now I just walk and hear myself again,” is exactly the kind of testimonial real spiritual retreat attendees share. According to Barna Group, retirees rank quiet reflection in nature as their top way to "feel closer to God" in 2025.

Faith, peace, and clarity—and all it takes is a good pair of shoes and an open heart.

🧩 RIDDLE ANSWER

Answer: Trust. 🤝

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