The wicked energy of the COVID-19 virus has exploited many fault lines in society, not least our widespread denial about Death and dying. It's exhibited in many ways, not least when politicians abuse the word tragedy, and even journalists regularly crank out tired euphemisms such as passed away. So when I read a surgeon's newspaper opinion piece entitled 'Let's accept death as a part of l... read more>

It’s a fair question; are you a modern elder? I ask as for too long those two words, modern and elder, may have seemed a contradiction in terms. But no longer. There’s been a social change bubbling beneath the surface in Australia as older people, such as  FiftyUps, refuse to be pigeonholed in the past. Now a more formal movement has come to our shores, and guess what? You can join in so ... read more>

The COVID fallout continues, and another effect has been to lift the age at which older Australians, especially men, are expected to retire. The reasons given are that more senior workers are retained for longer because of less migration and a buoyant labour market. Has COVID changed your retirement plans? It could be either for positive reasons, like more choice and enjoying work, or mor... read more>

They say there are two sides to every story, none more so than when it comes to money.  One report has the rising cost of living ‘smacking’ retirees more heavily than other cohorts as they have greater exposure to items that have gone up more. Other research suggests a slightly younger group aged 55-64 has the largest share of household wealth of any age bracket and collectively spend more t... read more>

Thirty years by one measure is life in prison. It's also the magic anniversary when Australian married couples are statistically at their happiest. The Australian Unity Wellbeing Index research has previously busted other marriage myths by stating that the first year after the wedding can be the unhappiest! Now they challenge another preconception, but what's your experience? Will it, or ... read more>