New Year’s resolutions: The senior version

Did you know millennials are more than twice as likely to achieve their New Year’s resolutions than people aged 50 and older? Considering just eight percent of all resolutioners experience success, it seems Baby Boomers are even further behind the curve.

Though the odds of accomplishing New Year’s goals seem tepid at best, the idea of bettering ourselves keeps us coming back for more. “The fact that people keep making resolutions even when they don’t always follow through ultimately means that they have hope and a certain level of belief in their ability to change and be more of who they really want to be,” says Nona Jordan, a business coach.

If you’re wiping the slate clean (again) in 2016, it’s not too late to add one or more of the following to your list of resolutions. Who knows – maybe this year could be different!

Exercise your body and mind. The benefits of staying physically fit as you age are well-known, but what you might not know is cognitive decline can begin as early as age 45. In addition to a regular exercise habit, keep your brain active in your later years by taking a community college class, socializing with friends or even playing games. Anything that stimulates your mind will help!

Create a strategy for claiming Social Security. Believe it or not, retirement is fast approaching. If you haven’t already, make an account with my Social Security to review your recorded annual earnings and get an estimate of future benefits. With more than 8,000 claiming options for married couples, creating a claiming strategy early on will help you maximize your retirement income and live the lifestyle you really want in your golden years.

Start thinking about your future. Speaking of retirement, have you given any thought as to how you’ll spend your days once you leave the workforce? Whether you intend to travel, move closer to your grandkids or even start a new business, having a plan for what you’ll actually be doing can help you avoid the all-too-common retirement blues. Whatever your dreams, start thinking about them now!

Are you a 2016 resolutioner? Head on over to our social media communities and tell us how you’re doing!