Issue 40: The Retirement Buzz

Winter Wellness: Lighting Up the Darker Days

Author

Retirement Dreammaker
December 07, 2025

RIDDLE OF THE WEEK

Q: I appear when it’s cold, but I’m not made of ice. I dance through the air, quiet and nice. I vanish on touch, leave no trace behind — What am I?

(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter)

Vitamin D: The Winter Deficiency You Can’t Afford to Ignore

Vitamin D: The Winter Deficiency You Can’t Afford to Ignore 🌤️ As daylight shrinks in December, so does your body’s natural production of vitamin D—essential for immune strength, bone density, and mood regulation. Older adults, especially those in northern climates or with limited sun exposure, are at greater risk of deficiency. Signs of Low Vitamin D: Fatigue or muscle weakness Bone or joint pain Increased susceptibility to illness What Helps: Ask your doctor about a simple blood test Include foods like salmon, tuna, egg yolks, and fortified cereals Consider vitamin D3 supplements if needed

🌤️ As daylight shrinks in December, so does your body’s natural production of vitamin D—essential for immune strength, bone density, and mood regulation.

Older adults, especially those in northern climates or with limited sun exposure, are at greater risk of deficiency.

Signs of Low Vitamin D:

  • Fatigue or muscle weakness

  • Bone or joint pain

  • Increased susceptibility to illness

What Helps:

  • Ask your doctor about a simple blood test

  • Include foods like salmon, tuna, egg yolks, and fortified cereals

  • Consider vitamin D3 supplements if needed

💬 “After getting tested, I started taking D3 regularly,” says Cynthia L., 75. “I feel more balanced—especially in winter.”

🔍 Backed by:

  • NIH Office of Dietary Supplements – Vitamin D and Aging

  • Cleveland Clinic – Winter Vitamin D Tips for Seniors

End-of-Year Financial Checklist for Retirees

End-of-Year Financial Checklist for Retirees 📋 December is your final chance to lock in key financial actions before 2026. Don't miss out on tax benefits or required deadlines. Smart Moves to Make This Week: ✅ Take Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) if you’re 73+ ✅ Max out HSA contributions if you’re still eligible ✅ Review charitable contributions for tax planning ✅ Evaluate losses/gains for year-end tax-loss harvesting 💬 “I use a year-end checklist every December,” says Thomas J., 78, a retired CPA. “It prevents surprises in April.” 🔍 Backed by: IRS – RMD Rules for Retirement Plans AARP – End-of-Year Tax Planning for Retirees Fidelity – Retiree Year-End Checklist

📋 December is your final chance to lock in key financial actions before 2026. Don't miss out on tax benefits or required deadlines.

Smart Moves to Make This Week:
✅ Take Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) if you’re 73+
✅ Max out HSA contributions if you’re still eligible
✅ Review charitable contributions for tax planning
✅ Evaluate losses/gains for year-end tax-loss harvesting

💬 “I use a year-end checklist every December,” says Thomas J., 78, a retired CPA. “It prevents surprises in April.”

🔍 Backed by:

  • IRS – RMD Rules for Retirement Plans

  • AARP – End-of-Year Tax Planning for Retirees

  • Fidelity – Retiree Year-End Checklist

😂 JOKE OF THE WEEK

Why don’t snowmen get into politics?

Because they just melt under pressure! ⛄

The December Disconnect: Loneliness Rises—But So Can Your Reach

The December Disconnect: Loneliness Rises—But So Can Your Reach 📞 Early December often sees a spike in loneliness among retirees—especially those living alone or far from family. Simple Ways to Reconnect: Send a holiday card with a personal note Call a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while Join a local walking group, coffee hour, or hobby club 💬 “A call from an old friend changes the whole week,” says Harold M., 83. “That connection matters.” 🔍 Backed by: AARP Foundation – Loneliness and Social Isolation Research National Institute on Aging – Social Connection and Well-being in Older Adults

📞 Early December often sees a spike in loneliness among retirees—especially those living alone or far from family.

Simple Ways to Reconnect:

  • Send a holiday card with a personal note

  • Call a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while

  • Join a local walking group, coffee hour, or hobby club

💬 “A call from an old friend changes the whole week,” says Harold M., 83. “That connection matters.”

🔍 Backed by:

  • AARP Foundation – Loneliness and Social Isolation Research

  • National Institute on Aging – Social Connection and Well-being in Older Adults

Deck the Halls with Meaning: DIY Décor from Years Past

Deck the Halls with Meaning: DIY Décor from Years Past 🎄 This season, retirees are finding joy in repurposing holiday keepsakes into heartfelt home décor. Popular DIY Ideas: Turn old holiday cards into garlands or placemats Fill mason jars with family photos and fairy lights Write gratitude messages on pinecones or dried oranges 📌 Tip: Local senior centers often offer free crafting classes during December. 💬 “We made a wreath from old costume jewelry and ornaments,” says Deborah F., 70. “Each piece has a memory.” 🔍 Supported by: Better Homes & Gardens – Sentimental Holiday Decor Ideas Good Housekeeping – Crafting with Keepsakes

🎄 This season, retirees are finding joy in repurposing holiday keepsakes into heartfelt home décor.

Popular DIY Ideas:

  • Turn old holiday cards into garlands or placemats

  • Fill mason jars with family photos and fairy lights

  • Write gratitude messages on pinecones or dried oranges

📌 Tip: Local senior centers often offer free crafting classes during December.

💬 “We made a wreath from old costume jewelry and ornaments,” says Deborah F., 70. “Each piece has a memory.”

🔍 Supported by:

  • Better Homes & Gardens – Sentimental Holiday Decor Ideas

  • Good Housekeeping – Crafting with Keepsakes

Winter’s Invitation: Stillness as a Sacred Practice

Winter’s Invitation: Stillness as a Sacred Practice 🕯️ The quiet of December offers more than a break—it offers perspective. Stillness can be an act of renewal, not retreat. Try This: Sit in silence for 5 minutes, morning or evening Ask: What is life teaching me right now? Write the answer without judgment 💬 “I light a candle and journal for just 10 minutes,” says Eloise D., 77. “It centers me.” 🔍 Verified by: Greater Good Science Center – The Power of Reflection Psychology Today – The Mental Health Benefits of Stillness

🕯️ The quiet of December offers more than a break—it offers perspective. Stillness can be an act of renewal, not retreat.

Try This:

  • Sit in silence for 5 minutes, morning or evening

  • Ask: What is life teaching me right now?

  • Write the answer without judgment

💬 “I light a candle and journal for just 10 minutes,” says Eloise D., 77. “It centers me.”

🔍 Verified by:

  • Greater Good Science Center – The Power of Reflection

  • Psychology Today – The Mental Health Benefits of Stillness

🧩 RIDDLE ANSWER

🔍 Answer: Your breath.

🎖️ MILITARY & HOLIDAY RECOGNITIONS

📅 Dec 1–7: National Handwashing Awareness Week

This national observance reminds all Americans—especially seniors—that proper hand hygiene is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent winter illness.

Frequent handwashing with soap and warm water helps prevent the spread of flu, RSV, and other seasonal viruses.

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