What are the best things about growing old?

Many of the things we associate with getting older—pain and aches and memory lapses—are difficult to accept and have become stereotypical of what it means to grow older. However, as we live longer and often healthier lives, we learn that in many areas we improve as we age.

They are called the golden years for a reason. We’re here to show you that getting older has its perks. The unpleasant and difficult aspects of aging shouldn’t overshadow all the great parts of getting older.

This being said, here’s a list of the 10 best things about growing old!

1. Opportunity to pursue your dreams

As the Victorian novelist George Eliot once said, “It’s never too late to be what you might have become.” Retirement is an opportunity to pursue passions and dreams that you might have put on hold in your working years.

For example, you can take that trip you’ve always dreamed of, learn a new language or skill, or write the novel you’ve been daydreaming about in your head. These are only a few examples of the best things about growing old.

2. Grandchildren

American writer Gore Vidal once famously joked, “Never have children, only grandchildren.” As grandparents, we often get to enjoy the delights of little kids without the sleepless nights and diaper changes.

For those who have a close relationship with their grandkids, the children can be one of the best things about growing old. Your love for your grandchildren lightens your own heart while simultaneously benefiting the grandchildren who receive it.

Dr. Karl Pillemer studies aging and intergenerational relationships, and he highlights the importance of the relationship between kids and their grandparents. He points out that studies show that children need four to six involved, caring adults in their lives to completely develop socially and emotionally, and that the grandparent-grandchild relationship is second in terms of emotional importance only to the parent-child relationship.

3. A happier outlook

Next on the list of the best things about growing old is developing a positive outlook. It may surprise some, but research shows that seniors are among the happiest groups of people and that they’re considerably more happy than their middle-aged counterparts.

The author of a study on the matter, Dr. Saverio Strangers, notes that this could be due to better coping mechanisms. Older peers tend to have better internal mechanisms to tackle hardships or difficulties than those who are younger.

Another reason why a happier outlook is one of the best things about growing old is because age means that they’re more comfortable being themselves.

4. Participation in civics and volunteering

Growing old comes with a sense of broader perspective, and it often makes seniors inclined to focus much of their energy and efforts towards bettering society and making a better world for future generations.

In addition to pursuing personal dreams and spending more time with loved ones, retired people have more time to be politically and civically involved, and they just do that.

For instance, according to data from the US Census Bureau, seniors 65 and older vote at a higher rate than any other age group. They also volunteer at a high rate, which is both good for their mental health and for society as a whole. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics reported that one in four Americans 65 and older actively volunteered last year.

The list of the best things about growing older doesn’t end here! Keep reading to find out more!

5. More time for loved ones

Retirement isn’t inherently relaxing or joyful—it’s how that time is used that truly makes it special. One of the best things about growing older is spending time with friends, family, and other loved ones.

Perhaps you’d like to go on a trip with them, on a cruise, or rent a place at a lake house and spend some days there. On the other hand, some seniors may lose social connections when they retire, so it’s important to keep those you love close and do activities together when possible.

6. Better social skills and more empathy

A recent study asked participants to offer advice to hypothetical authors of “Dear Abby” letters. The results indicated that retirees have superior social and empathetic abilities.

According to the aforementioned study, subjects in their 60s were better than younger ones at imagining divergent points of view, thinking of various resolutions, and suggesting compromises.

While acquiring better social skills may be one of the best things about growing old, it’s important to note that seniors can be vulnerable to isolation.

7. Wisdom

A scientific article described a number of studies demonstrating the intellectual and emotional benefits of aging. One study mentioned in the article showed that retirees have better control over their emotions compared to other age groups.

Experts had participants of all ages play a gambling game meant to induce regret and found that, unlike 20-somethings, people in their 60s didn’t feel stressed over losing, and they were less inclined to redeem their loss by later taking big risks.

By the way, here’s a book that can give you a glimpse of the best things about growing old and how cool retirement can be.

8. Guaranteed minimum income, Social Security, and Medicare

Before the 20th century, old adults without the means to financially support themselves were forced to relocate to what were known as “workhouses” or “poorhouses.” This was the lot of seniors who weren’t independently rich or who didn’t have family members who could take care of them.

Even though poverty is still a real problem among retirees, safety net programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid mean that American seniors should have health insurance and a guaranteed minimum income even if they aren’t wealthy and don’t have family members who can support them.

Basically, you’ve worked for so many years, so now you can benefit from what you’ve contributed to the country’s economy. This being said, federal programs like Social Security and Medicare are some of the best things about growing old.

9. Sense of accomplishment

Seniors often have a healthy sense of pride that comes from what they’ve accomplished in life. These accomplishments don’t have to be great feats. As John Lennon’s lyric says, “A working-class hero is something to be,” you can be your own hero.

Seemingly ordinary achievements like raising a happy and healthy child, being happily married, retiring from a job in good standing after many years of dedicated service, or serving in defense of the nation can be the cornerstone of a pleasant contentment in old age.

That’s why the best things about growing old are different for each individual. For me, it may be a great achievement that I’ve saved enough money so I can live a comfortable retirement. For you, it may be great that you’ve raised two children who are now successful adults.

10. Senior discounts

Last but not least on our list of the best things about growing old are the senior discounts. As trivial as these may seem, there must have been a time when you envied senior discounts.

The discounts offered to retirees can help people save money during a period when income tends to be limited and fixed. These discounts also offer a great incentive for older adults to make the most of their golden years, for the discounts are often for the exact kinds of services that help seniors stay active and engaged, such as medication, dining, transportation, and entertainment.

There are even websites that exist to help seniors locate businesses that provide senior discounts.

If you liked our article on the best things about growing old, you may also want to read 10 Tips to Improve Your Biological Age and Reverse Aging.