As a retirement editor, I sift through hundreds of stock photos of aging couples; I’ve come to know one perfect pair that consistently hits just the right note for a retirement article. They are, essentially, a mirror to our own sense of what aging should look like. Around Kiplinger, we call them “Dan” and “Sue,” though we don’t know their actual names.
They are both athletic, with thick, silver hair and bright smiles. In their late sixties, they are active and fun, but they also look like the kind of people who would pore over tax brackets. I’m almost certain they are Serbian, because that’s the location given for most of their images. At the very least, they are European; one poolside shot shows Dan in a Speedo, which hardly screams “American.” There’s no way to know, however, because stock photo companies generally protect the identity of their models. In fact, many models are regular people, not professionals.
You’ll find Dan and Sue on countless other sites, whether the topic is geriatric medicine, life insurance or financial planning. But here’s the thing: They are lovable. Like good actors, they commit to whatever job awaits them. And by reflecting on them, we can learn a bit about how our culture views retirement and even pick up some valuable tips. So, here’s the Dan and Sue way to age gracefully.
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1. Dance in the kitchen with your spouse
(Image credit: Getty Images)
When you type “happy senior” into a stock photo website, you’ll see a lot of older people laughing while they eat ice cream cones, or that old standby, dancing in the kitchen. I’m 60, and I’ve never danced in the kitchen with my husband, but I want to be the kind of person who does. The main takeaway here is to live in the moment, to embrace Dan and Sue’s example of joie de vivre.
2. Love your partner — a lot
(Image credit: Getty Images)
If Dan and Sue weren’t already a couple, they would probably go out on some hot dates, as this photo implies. It’s refreshing to know that stock photo companies recognize that older adults do, indeed, date and have romantic lives, though hopefully not quite so cringeworthy.
3. Except when you don’t love your partner
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Alas, there are many stock images of older couples fighting over open laptops, suggesting they are arguing over money. Even though a couple may have been together for decades, they can still disagree about when to retire and other financial decisions. As Dan and Sue remind us, you can fight over money in a beautiful kitchen, and then make up the best way they know….
(Image credit: Getty Images)
4. Have a fabulous career
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Even if you’ve already retired, you can “unretire” into that exciting career you always wanted. Or with a phased retirement, you can keep your job but reduce your hours or stress level. Dan and Sue have had many, many exciting careers. From Dan piloting a helicopter to Sue’s high-tech medical research job, they’ve done it all, and you can too.
5. Be playful
(Image credit: Getty Images)
6. Stay healthy and active
(Image credit: Getty Images)
We all know that exercise and a healthy diet are key to aging well. While we may all hope we look like Dan and Sue on the track, a simple exercise like walking is a great way to age gracefully. Just picking up the pace a bit on your walk, especially when paired with devices to help monitor you and keep you motivated, could help you avoid frailty and other aging risks.
7. Love your friends and family
(Image credit: Getty Images)
What Dan and Sue get right
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Dan and Sue deliver when it comes to “senior” fashion. She sports jaunty scarves and brightly-colored frames, while he often wears retro hats or dapper suits. Yet what these models actually model goes beyond natty clothing. They are dedicated and consistent. I’ve seen dozens, probably hundreds of images featuring these two, and they always seem to be in the moment, their faces reflecting whatever assignment they have been given.
We can’t all have killer cheekbones and perfect teeth, but we can certainly age the Dan and Sue way, gracefully and with commitment.
