Why the Golden Years Matter: Beyond Retirement and Rest

Turning 60 isn’t just about retirement—it’s about identity, health, purpose and planning. From real-life fears to practical costs, here’s how to truly prepare for life after sixty.

By Anand Mahishi: For thirty years, the office walls quietly observed Mr. VP’s steady enthusiasm. Every morning felt like a promise—his work and his own sense of purpose. But lately, things have changed. The hallways that once buzzed with talks of strategy and new ideas now resonate with the empty whispers of his departure. They talk about succession plans and the cold details of retirement planning, and they begin the search for someone to take his place. For the first time in thirty years, the certainty of his routine has been replaced by a loud silence. The passion that motivated him now feels weak, like a candle flickering in a drafty room. He realizes that while he managed his life carefully, he never got ready for losing his professional identity. As he approaches 60, he isn’t just looking at a calendar; he is staring at a doorway into the unknown, wondering if he will still matter when the title and the to-do lists are gone and replaced with “What to do?”

In today’s busy life most of us have been working, earning, and spending but not thinking about our age, which is also catching up at the same pace. Each one of us, irrespective of age, must one day be in Mr. VP's (as in our story) place. The million-dollar question is, how much is any individual prepared to say, “I am ready for sixty”?

As a saying by author Mark Twain goes, “Age is a case of mind over matter, if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”

Life after 60—Let’s be practical—The big picture

Life after 60 can be deeply fulfilling if approached with the right mindset and preparation. Aging is no longer a private topic; it’s the lived reality of billions. By the middle of this century the number of people aged 60 and over will have roughly doubled from 2020 levels, and the proportion of older adults in most of the countries is rising. This shift changes what “lifestyles” and “health” look like at older ages.

Many people at this stage:

• Retire or reduce work hours, allowing more time for personal interests.
• Focus on health, relationships, travel, spirituality, or hobbies.
• Face transitions like loss of routine, social circles, or physical vitality—but also gain freedom and wisdom.

Health After 60

To have good health after 60, we also must look into our lifestyles before 60. During our youth and middle age, we tend to live life as though it is forever. In reality, the body’s metabolism slows down, and natural wear and tear become more noticeable as age catches up. However, with preventive care and lifestyle adjustments, many people maintain strong health for decades. Many older adults are living with one or more chronic diseases, for example, hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, chronic lung disease and heart disease and with varying degrees of functional limitation in our daily routine. It’s not that we crossed 60 and we need to have a disease or illness, a proper respect for our body, understanding the signals that our body sends us and taking preventive measures well in advance so that we can have a life with all happiness.

As many doctors and dietitians suggest:

• Balanced Diet: Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, calcium-rich foods and hydration.
• Regular Exercise: Include walking, yoga, swimming or resistance training for joint and heart health.
• Adequate Sleep: 7–8 hours of quality sleep support immunity and mental peace.
• Mental Fitness: Keep the brain active through reading, puzzles or learning new skills.
• Social Interaction: Prevent loneliness and depression through actively participating in community activities, family gatherings and keeping engaged in hobbies.

Challenges to Maintaining Good Health After 60

• Keeping health and independence after 60 is possible, but several structural and personal challenges reduce chances of success:
• Financial barriers-Higher medical costs for treatment may eat away the savings kept for daily needs.
• Access and equity- Rural residents, women, minority groups and people with low incomes commonly have worse access to preventive, primary and rehabilitative care. (United Nations)
• Social isolation and caregiving gaps-Family structures are changing in many societies. Fewer available informal caregivers and social isolation make management of chronic illness and daily living harder. (World Health Organization)
• Emotional challenges such as loneliness, stress, or loss of purpose.

Common health issues after 60 (what clinicians see most often)

Multiple reputable reviews and public health sources list the most frequent conditions in older adults. These commonly include:

Cardiovascular disease (heart disease, stroke) - CDC

Hypertension - very common and often the most prevalent diagnosis. CDC

Type 2 diabetes – chances of occurrence rise with age and fuel cardiovascular and kidney complications. (National Council on Aging)

Osteoarthritis and musculoskeletal disease are major causes of pain, disability and loss of mobility. (National Council on Aging)

Chronic respiratory diseases (COPD) - common especially in smokers or in areas with air pollution. (National Council on Aging)

Cancer - incidence increases with age. Screening decisions change with life expectancy and comorbidity. (CDC)

Sensory impairment (vision/hearing) - Leads to social isolation and safety risks (e.g., falls). (CDC)

Cognitive impairment and dementia - Age is the biggest risk factor, which targets vascular risk and social/cognitive engagement. (CDC)

Falls and frailty are leading causes of injury and death among older adults in many countries; fall-related deaths have risen in some places. (AP News)

Mental health (depression, anxiety, loneliness) – often underdiagnosed but strongly impacts quality of life and physical health. (CDC)

Cost to Maintain Good Health After 60 (approximately)

Average Monthly & Annual Health Maintenance Cost (India)

Routine Medical Care

• Doctor consultations (1–2/month): ₹500–₹1,500
• Basic medicines & supplements: ₹1,000 – ₹3,000
• Subtotal: ₹1,500–₹4,500/month
• Annual: ₹18,000 – ₹54,000

Preventive Health Check-ups

Blood tests, ECG, BP, sugar, cholesterol (1–2 times/year): ₹3,000 – ₹8,000/year

Diet & Nutrition

Healthy food (fruits, vegetables, millets, nuts, low-oil diet): ₹2,000 – ₹4,000/month

Annual: ₹24,000 – ₹48,000

Physical Activity & Wellness

Morning walk/yoga: Free – ₹1,000/month

Yoga class/physiotherapy (if required): ₹1,000–₹2,500/month

Annual: ₹6,000 – ₹30,000

Health Insurance (Very Important After 60)

Senior citizen policy (₹5–10 lakh cover): ₹25,000 – ₹60,000 per year

Healthy Senior (Preventive Focus)

Monthly: ₹4,000 – ₹8,000

Annual: ₹60,000 – ₹125,000

With Common Lifestyle Conditions (BP, Diabetes, Cholesterol)

Monthly: ₹8,000 – ₹15,000

Annual: ₹120,000 – ₹225,000

Without Health Insurance

A single hospitalization can cost:

Private hospital: ₹1–5 lakh

Critical illness: ₹5–15 lakh

Planning with insurance or medical funds is essential.

Good planning covers four domains: medical prevention & management, functional & safety planning, financial & insurance planning, and social & psychological planning.

Medical prevention & regular care

Annual checkups with age-appropriate screening of blood pressure, lipid profile, diabetes, colorectal cancer screening as per guidelines, bone density (osteoporosis) and vision/hearing checks. (CDC)

Vaccinations like influenza and pneumococcal vaccines and recommended boosters (and COVID-19 boosters when indicated) reduce severe illness. (CDC)

Medication review (deprescribing): regular review by a clinician or pharmacist to remove unnecessary drugs and manage interactions (reduces falls, side effects, and costs). (CDC)

Chronic disease control: proactive management of hypertension, diabetes, lipids and heart disease reduces future disability and dementia risk. (CDC)

Functional mobility and safety planning

Exercise and physical therapy - Resistance and balance training reduce frailty and fall risk. Staying active is one of the single most powerful interventions to preserve independence. (PMC)

Home safety audit - Remove trip hazards, improve lighting, add grab bars in bathrooms, and consider non-slip flooring to reduce falls. (AP News)

Vision/hearing correction -Timely glasses, cataract surgery and hearing aids reduce isolation and accident risk. (CDC)

Financial and health-care coverage planning

Know your coverage -Firstly check government health schemes like Ayushman Bharat, public insurance (like Medicare), employer retiree benefits and private insurance cover. Looking at where gaps exist (dental, vision, long-term care). Use that to budget for premiums, deductibles and likely OOPE. (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services).

Emergency fund and contingency planning - Set aside liquid savings for unexpected hospitalizations or acute events (or arrange supplemental insurance). Because as older adults incur higher per-person health spending, contingency planning is crucial. (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services)

Consider long-term care planning. Research local long-term care options (home care agencies, assisted living, nursing homes), the costs and insurance options (where available). Evaluate whether long-term care insurance or hybrid products make sense given age, health and finances. (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services).

Global demographic trend - By 2030 one in six people will be 60+. By 2050 there will be approximately 2.1 billion people aged 60+. (World Health Organization)

Out-of-pocket burden (example: India) - OOPE made up ~47% of total health expenditure in India (2019–20), exposing households, including elderly households to financial risk. (PMC)

Functional risk - Fall-related deaths among older adults have increased in some countries over the last two decades; fall prevention is therefore high-value. (AP News).

A short, practical 5-year plan you can act on today

Year 0 (now) - Get a comprehensive checkup of blood, BP, meds review, and vision/hearing screen. Prepare advance directive. Build an emergency fund equal to 3–6 months of non-housing expenses. (CDC)

Year 1-Start a strength/balance program (twice weekly) and join a social group. Review insurance/pension paperwork and estimate annual health OOPE.

Years 2–3 - Reassess chronic disease targets with your clinician (e.g., blood pressure goal), optimize medication list, and evaluate the need for long-term care insurance or other protections.

Years 4–5 - Update legal documents, test home safety modifications, and plan for incremental lifestyle upgrades (better lighting, mobility aids) so your living space supports aging in place.

Aging after 60 is neither uniformly frail nor uniformly healthy. Many people enjoy decades of productive, independent living with thoughtful prevention, care coordination and social supports. The realities of higher healthcare use and occasional costly events mean that financial and care planning are not optional; they are central to a peaceful later life. Public policies (universal access to primary care, vaccination programs, support for caregivers, and long-term care financing) and personal steps (exercise, social connections, medication review, legal planning, and financial contingency funds) together create the best prospects for quality of life.

(Mr. Anand Mahishi has over 15 years of experience in the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) industry, following an 18-year entrepreneurial journey. He currently serves as an Assistant Professor at the Manipal Academy of BFSI, where he blends industry experience with academic insight to mentor and shape the next generation of insurance professionals. Manipal Academy of BFSI is a premier training institution that has successfully trained over two lakh officers across leading banks and insurance companies in India, contributing significantly to the professional development of the BFSI sector.)

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views or stance of the organization. The organization assumes no responsibility for the content shared.