Want to know the secret to a longer life? According to researchers from the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF),¹ the proverbial fountain of youth may be closer than you think. In a recently released study, UCSF scientists announced that chronic stress — or the lack thereof — plays a key role in determining an individual’s longevity. The less stress, the longer you are likely to live and vice versa.

At first glance, these findings may not seem all that surprising. After all, physicians have been linking stress to a variety of age-related ailments (high blood pressure, ulcers, etc.) for years. This new study, however, is the first to establish a direct link between stress and the aging process itself. It showed that stress has a detrimental effect on a cell’s ability to divide and replicate, and ultimately results in cell degeneration (aging).

Since most people aren’t in a position to avoid stress altogether, the question you need to ask yourself is: How can I minimize its effects? Well, short of packing up and moving to a deserted island, here are some suggestions you may want to consider:

Let It Go: Don’t dwell on things that are out of your control. Rather than internalize, people with low stress levels tend to forgive and forget.

Act Quickly: If you have the power to correct a situation, do it quickly so you can put it behind you as soon as possible. Letting a problem linger only adds stress.

Exercise Regularly: In addition to improving your physical state, exercise helps relieve stress and creates endorphins that reduce anxiety.

Pursue Your Passion: Have you always wanted to play the piano, trace your family’s genealogy, or do charity work? Having a strong sense of purpose can dramatically reduce stress levels — while keeping your mind active as well.

Do Good Deeds: Altruistic acts, even those as simple as helping someone cross the street, enhance your mental well-being and reduce stress. As an added bonus, many good deeds — such as delivering meals to the needy — also introduce an element of physical activity and benefit the recipients.

Laugh Often: Many of today’s oldest seniors attribute their longevity to a good sense of humor. Since they don’t take things too seriously, they are better equipped to handle stress.

Keep In Touch: People are by nature social animals, and maintaining close relationships is a great way to reduce stress.

Occupy Your Mind: If your brain is deeply engaged in a particular task, it doesn’t have time to dwell on stressful matters. That’s why so many people find it relaxing to play cards or complete crossword puzzles.

Naturally, there are many other ways to reduce and manage stress. Just find the ones that work best for you, and you may be on your way to a longer and happier life.

¹As reported in “10 Secrets of a Good, Long Life,” by Sarah Mahoney, AARP The Magazine, (July/August 2005) at http://www.aarpmagazine.org/lifestyle/relationships/living_longer.html

Lifetime Income annuities are gaining popularity with retirees who are looking for solutions to one critical component of their retirement plan — receiving an income that’s guaranteed to last the rest of their lives. In the Spring 2007 issue of this newsletter, New York Life announced the creation of the AARP Lifetime Income Program, with group plans specifically designed to provide a guaranteed monthly income stream and help AARP members protect against the risk of outliving their savings.

AARP member response to the new program has been overwhelming. Many members have requested information and are learning just how fixed immediate annuities can help provide guaranteed income throughout retirement, help supplement retirement income received from Social Security or a pension, and help protect against the risk of economic and market declines.

Exclusively available to AARP members ages 50 to 89, the annuity plans let you turn part of your retirement savings into monthly income payments that are guaranteed for life. The longer you live, the more money you will collect. So those enjoying a long retirement could collect far more than they paid into the plan. With our cash refund plan, if you pass away before your income payments equal your annuity purchase price, your beneficiary will be paid the difference. This guarantee isn’t offered by every annuity plan.

A retirement that’s free from financial worry is easier said than done. But opting for an annuity that provides a guaranteed retirement income that you can’t outlive, may allow you to worry less so you can enjoy your retirement years more.

The AARP Lifetime Income Program
The AARP Lifetime Income Program, from New York Life Insurance and Annuity Corporation, offers single life and joint life annuity plans that provide guaranteed income for life, no matter how long you live. You simply purchase an annuity plan with a single lump-sum payment, and in return, you’re guaranteed a monthly check for the rest of your life.

For more information, call 1-800-891-1699 or visit lifetimeincome.nylaarp.com/011.

Thanks to recent advances in longevity, today’s retirees can look forward to a longer, more active lifestyle than any generation in history. Some may even find that they spend as many years in retirement as they did in the workforce! The question is: What to do with all that time?

If you haven’t given it much thought, now’s the time to start. Want to travel the world, go back to school, or start your own business? It’s possible — but you’ll need to plan ahead in order to make it happen.

Fortunately, it’s easy to get started. Just follow the basic steps outlined below, and refine each concept as needed.

STEP ONE: Make a list of all the activities you enjoy or want to pursue in retirement. Include everything at first; you can always trim it down later.

STEP TWO: Prioritize each activity based on your interest level. Don’t worry about obstacles at this point, just decide which activities you find most appealing.

STEP THREE: Establish a realistic time line for each activity. Ask yourself how soon you can start, how much of a commitment is involved, and how long you think you will be able to participate. Sure there’s some guesswork involved, but it’s a great way to get started.

STEP FOUR: Work with your accountant or financial planner to determine the financial resources required by each activity. While some may simply be out of reach, others may work nicely with a simple change in strategy.

Once you have assembled all the necessary information, it’s time to eliminate any activities you can’t afford, schedule those that are physically demanding up-front, and allocate the majority of time and resources to your top priorities. In the end, you should find that you are left with a plan that is not only realistic — but highly rewarding as well.

“Finding A Retirement Lifestyle” BoomerCafe, March 30, 2007 @ http://boomercafe.typepad.com/boomercafe/2007/03/index.html
“Tips to Stay Healthy and Happy After Retirement,” Google, Self-Help, July 22, 2006 @ http://self-help.vocaboly.com/archives/849/ tips-to-stay-health-and-happy-after-retirement.html

According to the latest government census, Americans are celebrating more birthdays. In fact there are now an estimated 55,000 people age 100 or older in the U.S., and the number is growing rapidly.¹

While not everyone will reach this grand milestone, one thing is clear: the need for long-term financial security has never been greater. So what can you do to make sure your nest egg will last? Here are just a few ways to give your retirement plans a boost:

Examine All Sources Of Income: In addition to Social Security, pensions, and retirement accounts, you may want to supplement your income by finding a part-time job you enjoy.

Reduce Debt: Now that you’ve reaped the benefit of your prime earning years, pay off any outstanding debts so you only have to manage current expenses going forward. You may also want to retire your mortgage since the interest deductions are often less important on a fixed income.

Increase Your Retirement Funding: If possible, take advantage of special “catch-up” provisions that allow people age 50 and older to contribute extra money to their retirement accounts.

Add More Stability: It’s always a good idea to review retirement goals and evaluate options that might strengthen your nest egg.

Invest In Yourself: Since health care is likely your largest expense, it makes good financial sense to take care of your body by eating right, exercising and undergoing regular medical check-ups.

Review Your Insurance Needs: Don’t forget the impact your aging may have on your loved ones and estate. Consider life insurance and long-term care insurance as valuable wealth preservation strategies.

¹ As reported in “More People Are Joining This Very Exclusive Club” by Ann DeFrange, Oklahoman, Metro II Section, June 29, 2006.
“Life stages interactive,” by Don Taylor, on Yahoo Finance, Tuesday, May 1 @ http://biz.yahoo.com/brn/070501/21846.html?.v=1

If you’re looking for ways to stay active and healthy in retirement, you might try heading straight to your local hobby shop. Why worry about your free time? Because hobbies have proven to be an effective way for seniors to stave off a variety of physical and emotional ailments.¹

Hobbies — whether they are active, such as gardening or fishing; or sedentary, such as coin or stamp collecting — are therapeutic activities that offer participants a world of health benefits. To begin, many hobbies, such as golfing or playing cards, are group activities that help prevent depression, because they satisfy the individual’s need for social engagement. Others, such as playing chess or doing crossword puzzles, keep the mind active, which has been proven to delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

So which hobby is best for you? Chances are, you already know. It all depends on your temperament, interests, and abilities. And with a world of options available to you, there’s certainly no need to limit yourself to just one. In fact, you may find that certain hobbies fulfill very specific needs, and that a broad spectrum is the best way to achieve maximum contentment and health.

¹ “Retirement Hobbies” @ Retirement Expert.co.uk

Minding Matters of the Heart Whether you’re concerned about heart disease for yourself or someone you love, this book provides vital guidance on enjoying a full and active life. Living with Heart Disease explains why some 700,000 Americans suffer a first heart attack each year — and why 500,000 more have a subsequent attack.

Here you will also discover abundant practical advice about living with heart disease on a day-to-day basis, including:

 The most effective drugs to lower cholesterol and blood pressure;
 The simple lifestyle changes that can reduce your risk of heart attack;
 The life-saving value of cardiac rehabilitation after a heart attack.

So whether you’re eager to safeguard your emotional health, wondering which lifestyle changes might deflect the onset of heart disease, or anxious to learn which two simple steps may help you survive a heart attack, let Living with Heart Disease be your first step on the road to taking charge of your treatment — and reasserting control of your life!

Scientific American recently reported that current research indicates a strong relationship between oral health and a person’s overall systemic health. It is well documented that a high percentage of diseases, health conditions and chronic disorders correlate to deficiencies in dental care.

Did you know?
There are more than 120 medical conditions — many of them life-threatening — that can be detected in their early stages by your dentist. One common condition is diabetes.

According to the American Academy of Periodontology, people with diabetes are more likely to have gum disease than people without diabetes. Researchers think this is because diabetes reduces the body’s resistance to infection. The gums are among the tissues likely to be affected. Gum disease prevention is often linked to the control of diabetes.

Your oral health can be an indicator for other medical conditions, too. Other common conditions that regular dental visits can help detect include:

 Heart disease
 Kidney disease
 Thyroid problems
 High blood pressure
 Acid reflux
 Osteoporosis
 Anemia
 Sleeping and breathing disorders

What you can do.
Visiting a dentist regularly can help you maintain your oral health. Get more helpful dental health topics or information about dental insurance by visiting AARP Dental Insurance Plan from Delta Dental online at www.deltadentalins.com/aarp or call 1-866-583-2085.

“Oral and Whole Body Health.” Scientific American 2006.
“The Oral-Systemic Disease Connection.” JADA Vol. 137 Oct. 2006.