Dr. Alex Kaplan Urges Active Life Planning for Extended Retirement Years

Dr. Alex Kaplan, a gerontology expert and former senior finance executive, emphasizes the importance of planning life after retirement, not just financially but in terms of personal fulfillment and activity. He highlights that with increased life expectancy in Israel rising from 71 to 83 years over the past 45 years, the retirement period has effectively doubled, requiring a new approach to how people envision and prepare for their later years.

Kaplan, who transitioned from a top sales role in insurance to earning a doctorate in aging sciences, advocates for continuing work beyond traditional retirement age, either in the same field or through new careers. He stresses that staying active cognitively and physically helps maintain abilities and quality of life. He encourages people to regularly reassess their goals and desires at all ages, suggesting a practical approach of writing down retirement life plans.

Financial planning, Kaplan explains, should be based on personal lifestyle choices rather than generic pension figures. He notes that many people misunderstand pension adequacy because they fail to connect it to their desired standard of living. Kaplan also discusses the psychological aspect of retirement planning, referencing a Stanford study showing that people who identify with their future selves tend to save more.

Addressing societal attitudes, Kaplan criticizes the expectation that older adults should volunteer without compensation, calling it exploitation of their experience. He also challenges the notion of inherent "old age wisdom," arguing that aging is highly individual and everyone deserves respect and opportunity regardless of age. Kaplan’s insights come from his academic research and personal experience, and he encourages embracing the extended retirement years as a full marathon requiring preparation and active engagement.