The big difference is retirement. Physically, you're going to be nowhere near as healthy as your 30s. See- there are no professional basketball, football, baseball, etc. players in their 60s. But… if you're in good shape, your 60s are probably going to be the youngest you're retired and can get out and enjoy whatever you've been wanting to do whether hiking, biking, playing tons of golf, etc. But yeah, your "prime" physically is definitely not your 60s, sorry.

by Anonymous 3 months ago

Isn't it great to be free, independent and to do what you want? I think this is very prime

by Ecummings 3 months ago

Yeah, your wording is just what is getting me. It is likely the healthiest you'll be once you achieve financial independence if that's what you're saying. But a lot of times when people hear "prime age" they think of when you're at your physical peak. And that's nowhere near 60.

by Anonymous 3 months ago

Depends also by the age of the respondent btw. It's not the same to ask 20 yo or 70 yo healthy individual. I highly doubt they will reach a consensus.

by Ecummings 3 months ago

Dude, I'm in my 50s. My prime was definitely in my 20s. People who attempt to drag the age upward are just lying to themselves and fighting biology.

by Previous_Lab_2799 3 months ago

They're not saying physical prime they're just saying it's a prime age

by Meagan66 3 months ago

My dad's in his 70's, retired, and healthy. He's doing great! He has hobbies, he sees his friends multiple times a week, and he's planning fishing trips with his brothers. I think there's a lot to be said about getting to an age where you know what you enjoy doing in life and are able to focus on it.

by Anonymous 3 months ago

Eh, I would say more late 40s into your 50s. Unfortunately 60s is when people start to decline. Even if you do have someone who's healthy they most likely have started physically declining to some degree. Also, considering 60 not old is generous considering the person is expected to die in the next 20 years. Like, it's fine to be old I don't understand why people don't like to consider certain ages old lol

by dibbertjorge 3 months ago

I think that's because old is a relative term. It's hard to define who's old without affecting his self esteem. It's very arbitrary and also it's a matter of personal integrity. Just like sex, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and so on

by Ecummings 3 months ago

This depends very much on how well someone cares for themselves. I am 48, and the number of people my age who are on high blood pressure meds, statins, have chronic pain, and take a boatload of prescriptions is a lot. If you're going into 60s ready to retire with a solid financial plan, your house is paid off, your kids are raised, and you have good health, then yes, I agree. But in the US, 89% of adults over 65 take medications to treat conditions. Too many people put their best years into their work and then they retire and get sick. I can't even tell you how many people I've known who've died of cancer within 3 years of retiring. I think the "60 is the best time" is only because our working world requires we give the previous 40+ years to our jobs. If that wasn't the case, I dont' think most people would think 60+ was the best time. That is when you start to lose bone density and muscle at a higher rate. You are more tired, your body is literally starting to fall apart by that time. I think it's complicated. I can look at my life now and say yeah, this is one of the best points of my life. We are financial stable, our kids are mostly grown up, we love our home, we enjoy our jobs, we have savings and good healthcare. But healthwise it's not, I don't take any meds but I have chronic hip pain (likely in part due to too many years at a computer job, even though I made solid efforts to be more active than most people do). So lifewise, yeah, now is pretty good. We'll see how the next 30 years go 😆 My parents are in their 70s and doing amazing and very happy. They are healthy and traveling a lot. But healthwise, my best years were my late 20s, since my early 30s it's been more and more of a battle to keep up with health and fitness.

by Ok-Account-4087 3 months ago

60s & 70s are certainly meant to be the happiest decades. I think maintaining healthy habits throughout your 30s-50s will pay big benefits. Not only will you, hopefully, have financial security, and inner peace, having a fit body means a lot of doors stay open. Take it from me: I spent my 40s & 50s stuck in meetings I came to loathe, came home from work wrung out every day and would come down with too much wine & too much dinner. I did eventually break that pattern, but life would be even better now if I hadn't done that to myself.

by Anonymous 3 months ago

In my 20s I was an amateur boxer who could train hard and have fights and be perfectly fine in 24 to 48 hours. I'm currently 42 and do Muay Thai once a week I'm still relatively resilient but nowhere near as much as I was in my 20s. As far as the average adult I'd consider myself peak health for my age and I'd rather be in my 20s or 30s.

by anais90 3 months ago

Well, in my 20s I was a college graduate so mental stuff was probably better at the time. Finances not so much but I wasn't destitute and I'm still working at 42, closer to retirement albeit. I'd still take my job and physical and mental prowess of my 20s and 30s over being retired in my 60s (hopefully prior). By the time I'm 60 most of my hobbies won't really be manageable and I will have to slow down, I should probably already start slowing down as the risk of injury is so high. If the only thing about 60+ being prime is not working I don't know what to say. All the stuff you mention I already do, time for my hobbies, my friends, travel, I don't need to be retired to do that stuff. I'd rather have my physical health back than financial health, I really do miss my back not hurting because I stood up wrong lol.

by anais90 3 months ago

Whilst maturity and wisdom are higher at that age, you are also likely to be more jaded and battle hardened by the rigors of life. There are a lot of very broken, sad and angry people in their 60s. I don't know, maybe it's just me. In my 40s and so exhausted by life's never-ending battles.

by Anonymous 3 months ago

So how old are you OP?

by Apart-Ability 3 months ago

It's the last good years for a healthy man. Women peak more around half this age, though.

by Helenaschaefer 3 months ago