Retirement Without Regrets: The Mediterranean Diet Hack That's Reversing Biological Age - Issue #3: June 5, 2025

because retirement doesn’t come with a manual

Hello, fellow retirement explorers!

Welcome to another issue of L-Plate Retiree, where we navigate the uncharted waters of retirement together. Like a GPS for your golden years (but with fewer "recalculating" announcements), we're here to guide you through the financial, health, and lifestyle terrain ahead. Let's dive in!

Today's Market Mood (as of June 2, 2025 close)

The quick scan: Markets continued their upward climb yesterday with the S&P 500 reaching new monthly highs—like your neighbour's eyebrows after their latest Botox session.

•S&P 500: Up 0.59% to 5,970.81, comfortably above the psychological 5,900 mark

•Trading volume: 2.68 billion shares changed hands, relatively light for a Wednesday—apparently traders had better things to do

What's driving it: Investors seem to be riding a wave of optimism following stronger-than-expected economic data earlier in the week. The S&P has now climbed steadily for three consecutive sessions, gaining nearly 1.4% since Friday—proving that sometimes markets, like fine wine and your retirement accounts, actually improve with time.

Bottom line: The market's resilience continues to surprise analysts who've been predicting a correction since approximately forever. As always, this is just a snapshot—not financial advice! Your retirement portfolio, unlike your waistline, should actually expand over time. Ok, maybe not your waistline at this age.

Personal Finance: The True Cost of an Affluent Retirement: 6 Factors That Will Shape Your Nest Egg

The scoop: Feeling wealthy during bull markets can create a false sense of retirement readiness, according to Singlife's analysis. Their research shows that perception of wealth often leads to overconfidence about retirement savings.

The article challenges readers to look beyond current market conditions and consider what it truly takes to maintain an affluent lifestyle throughout retirement.

Inflation poses a particular threat to affluent retirement plans. With a 3% annual inflation rate, 100,000 today will only be worth about 55,000 in 20 years—meaning your caviar dreams might turn into fish stick realities without proper planning.

Actionable takeaways:

Get location-specific: Calculate retirement costs based on your specific lifestyle vision and location preferences. Retiring in Manhattan vs. Manhattan, Kansas? Slightly different budgets required.

Plan for longevity: Factor in family longevity and retirement age when determining how long your money needs to last. If your grandparents lived to 100, your retirement fund might need to run an ultramarathon.

Ditch the debt: Prioritize paying off high-interest debts before retirement to maximize disposable income. Nothing ruins a good retirement like old debt—it's like bringing your ex to your wedding.

Fight the inflation monster: Account for inflation's impact on luxury expenses, which often rise faster than core inflation. Today's coffee might be tomorrow's indulgence.

Insure against the unexpected: Review insurance coverage for healthcare, critical illness, and long-term care to protect your nest egg. Because the only surprise you want in retirement is the occasional birthday party.

Health: 68-Year-Old Scientist Reverses His Biological Age by 15 Years: Hie Diet Secrets Revealed

The scoop: Dr Eric Verdin, CEO of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, claims to have reversed his biological age by up to 15 years through lifestyle modifications, particularly his diet choices.

At chronological age 68, Verdin's biomarkers indicate a biological age between 48 and 53. His approach focuses on a Mediterranean-style diet rich in complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, and lean proteins. But what he avoids might be just as important as what he eats.

Verdin believes lifestyle factors play a larger role in determining health span than genetics. His decade-long self-experiment using wearable devices and quarterly blood tests has led to continuous lifestyle refinements, including extending his intermittent fasting window.

Actionable takeaways:

•Adopt a Mediterranean diet emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and lean proteins

•Eliminate ultra-processed foods that come through car windows or that "your grandmother wouldn't recognize"

•Eat whole fruits instead of drinking juice to maintain fibre and prevent blood sugar spikes

•Consider reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption for better sleep and energy levels

•Track your own health metrics using wearable devices and regular blood tests to personalize your approach

Fitness: Starting an Exercise Routine After 50: A Beginner’s Blueprint for Success

The scoop: Beginning an exercise routine later in life requires a thoughtful approach, but Healthline explains that it's never too late to start and the benefits are substantial.

Regular exercise improves mood, mental health, sleep quality, and hormone regulation in the short term. Long-term benefits include maintaining healthy weight, preserving muscle mass, and reducing chronic disease risk—all crucial factors for an enjoyable retirement.

The article emphasizes combining different types of movement for maximum benefit—because your body appreciates variety as much as your Netflix queue.

Actionable takeaways:

Get the green light: Schedule a physical examination before starting any new exercise program. Doctor's orders trump YouTube fitness gurus every time.

Start small, dream big: Create a plan with small, achievable goals that gradually build on success. Marathon runners start by putting on their shoes, not running 26.2 miles. But please, putting on your shoe does not count as exercise ya?

Make it a date: Establish a consistent schedule, even if it means breaking exercise into three 10-minute sessions. Your body doesn't care if you exercise in instalments.

Mix it up: Incorporate various exercise types: aerobic, strength, flexibility, and balance. It's like a buffet—sample everything for the best results.

Listen to your body: Avoid pushing through pain, which can lead to injuries. Pain is your body's way of saying "Hey, that's enough!" in its most persuasive voice. In most cases, it is not what I was taught in the Army - “pain is weakness leaving the body”.

What We’re Watching

The retirement landscape continues to evolve rapidly. We're keeping an eye on upcoming changes to Medicare enrolment periods, the impact of AI on retirement planning tools, and new research on social connection as a longevity factor. Stay tuned for deep dives in future issues!

The L-Plate Retiree Team

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(Disclaimer: While we love a good laugh, the information in this newsletter is for general informational and entertainment purposes only, and does not constitute financial, health, or any other professional advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making any decisions about your retirement, finances, or health.)