Issue 25: The Retirement Buzz

🧩 RIDDLE OF THE WEEK

I grow bigger the more I’m shared. I’m invisible but unforgettable.

What am I?

Functional Fitness Gains Spotlight as Seniors Focus on Longevity

Functional fitness—think stretching, resistance bands, and bodyweight movement—is now a top priority in senior health programming across the U.S. 

According to the National Institute on Aging, new grants are funding local classes that help older adults boost strength, reduce fall risk, and maintain independence.

Lillian J., 74, from Indiana, joined a chair yoga class this summer: “I used to struggle getting out of bed. Now I’m walking my dog every morning again.”

Programs like SilverSneakers, StrongBodies, and Functional Movement for Aging Adults are growing in popularity, especially in rural and underserved areas.

👉 Search “Silver Sneakers near me” or check your local YMCA or senior center.

Boom in Charitable Legacy Funds Shows Retirees Giving with Purpose

Giving is on the rise—and not just during the holidays.

Fidelity Charitable reports a 22% increase in donor-advised legacy funds created by people over 65 in just the first half of 2025. These funds allow retirees to support causes they care about while managing taxes and estate planning.

Ben A., 79, a retired dentist in Georgia, opened a fund in honor of his late wife to support a local animal rescue: “I may not leave millions, but I’m leaving something that reflects my values.”

Legacy funds allow for:

• Ongoing charitable donations

• Intergenerational giving lessons

• Personalized impact stories

👉 Visit fidelitycharitable.org or ask your financial advisor about low-entry donor-advised funds.

😂 JOKE OF THE WEEK

What’s the best part about growing older?

You finally stop caring what anyone thinks of your dance moves! 💃🕺

Family Traditions Bring Healing and History Together

A new AARP poll found that retirees who actively preserve family traditions—through baking, photos, storytelling, or music—report significantly higher levels of life satisfaction and emotional resilience.

Dolores K., 67, from New Mexico, says her grandkids eagerly await “Grandma’s Bake Day” every August: “We bake my mama’s cinnamon rolls. It’s our sacred thing now.”

Benefits of tradition sharing include:

• Deeper family connection

• Emotional healing after loss

• Cultural preservation

👉 Start a weekly or monthly tradition. Doesn’t have to be fancy—just intentional.

Retirees Launch DIY Memoir Clubs

More seniors are picking up pens—and preserving powerful stories. Libraries and community centers across the country are now offering “Write Your Life Story” kits and classes to help retirees document their personal journeys.

Calvin R., 72, from Vermont, meets with five neighbors every Wednesday: “We write for 20 minutes. Then we laugh, cry, and eat pie.”

Benefits of life story writing:

• Improved memory recall and mental health

• Emotional healing from past experiences

• A meaningful gift for children and grandchildren

👉 Check your local library or visit getsetup.io for free memoir-writing workshops and resources.

Purpose Is the New Retirement Plan

What’s the one thing retirees say they miss most after leaving the workforce? A sense of purpose.

A new study from the Retirement Confidence Institute (RCI) found that older adults who mentor, volunteer, or serve others feel more emotionally grounded and spiritually fulfilled than those who “coast” through retirement.

Eleanor F., 70, from Michigan, mentors new teachers at her old school: “I may be retired, but my purpose isn’t. That keeps my soul alive.”

Ways to engage:

• Volunteer with a local youth program

• Mentor a former colleague’s child

• Share weekly life lessons with your family or faith group

👉 What part of your purpose still wants expression? Start there.

Senior Citizens Day: Honoring the Generations Who Lead Us

First declared in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan, Senior Citizens Day honors the achievements, resilience, and leadership of older Americans. 

Whether you built businesses, raised families, served in the military, or nurtured communities—your impact echoes through generations.

This week, call someone who mentored you, guided you, or gave you advice when you needed it most.

Say it plain: “You matter. And you’ve made a difference.”

🧩 RIDDLE ANSWER

Answer: A memory.

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