Hi Reader

Welcome to edition #47 of The Super Sunday Retirement Roundup.

In today's thought provoking newsletter, I discuss:

• The power of wisdom
• Crystallised intelligence
• The retirement lie
• Life expectancy

And, I share one of my favourite and most impactful sketches!

As always, please enjoy and let me know what resonated the most with you.

My Latest Thoughts

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The Power of Wisdom: Why Crystallised Intelligence is Your Retirement Superpower

Ever found yourself walking into a room only to forget why you’re there? Or struggling to remember the name of that actor from that one movie—only for it to hit you at 3 AM? Welcome to the joys of aging!

But before you start worrying that your brain is playing tricks on you, let’s talk about the science behind it. The good news? Your brain isn’t declining—it’s evolving. And the secret to thriving in retirement isn’t about keeping up with the young crowd; it’s about embracing and using the intelligence you’ve spent a lifetime building.

That’s where psychologist Raymond Cattell comes in. He identified two key types of intelligence:

• Fluid Intelligence – This is your quick-thinking, problem-solving ability—the kind that helps you learn new things fast. It’s what made you great at cramming for exams, figuring out new technologies, and solving last-minute problems at work. The catch? It starts to decline as early as your 30s.
• Crystallised Intelligence – This is the deep, accumulated knowledge and wisdom you gain through life experience. It includes everything from your vocabulary to your problem-solving skills, expertise, and ability to see patterns. Unlike fluid intelligence, this continues to grow well into old age.

Now, while the idea of losing fluid intelligence might sound a bit scary, here’s the reality: crystallised intelligence is far more important in the second half of life. In fact, it’s what makes retirement one of the most intellectually rich and fulfilling periods of your life—if you know how to use it.

Why Crystallised Intelligence is Your Most Valuable Asset in Retirement

Think of your brain like a massive library. When you were younger, your brain (the librarian) was fast—running up and down the aisles, quickly retrieving information. But now? That librarian has slowed down a bit. Instead of sprinting, they take their time, stopping for a chat, reminiscing about past books, and maybe taking a coffee break.

But here’s the thing: the library itself is bigger and richer than ever. You have a lifetime of knowledge, insights, and experience stored up. That’s your crystallised intelligence. And in retirement, it becomes your greatest strength.

Here’s why:

1. You’re a Master Problem-Solver

While younger people may think fast, you think smart. You’ve been through financial crises, career shifts, family challenges, and enough “learning experiences” to fill a novel. You don’t just solve problems—you predict them before they happen.

Remember when you had to fix a leaky sink with nothing but duct tape, determination, and a little bit of cursing? Or when you navigated office politics like a chess grandmaster? That’s crystallised intelligence at work. And in retirement, those skills can help with financial planning, health decisions, and even day-to-day problem-solving.

2. You Have a Lifetime of Practical Knowledge

You might not be the fastest Googler in the room, but you probably don’t need to be—because you already know the answers. From fixing things around the house to understanding how to stretch a budget, you have a mental encyclopedia of knowledge that no search engine can replicate.

Even better? You can share that knowledge with younger generations—whether it’s teaching your grandkids how to cook, mentoring young professionals, or simply offering sage advice over coffee.

3. You Have the Best Advice (and People Know It)

Ever notice how younger people come to you for guidance? Whether it’s career advice, relationship wisdom, or figuring out the best way to avoid an awkward conversation, your years of experience have made you a walking, talking life manual.

This ability to see the bigger picture and provide level-headed advice is an incredible asset, especially in retirement. Whether through volunteering, mentoring, or just being the person everyone trusts, your intelligence is needed more than ever.

4. You’re Still Capable of Learning—Better Than Ever!

Here’s something most people don’t realise: while fluid intelligence declines, crystallised intelligence keeps growing. That means while you might not pick up a new language overnight, you’re actually better equipped to learn deeply and meaningfully.

Think about it—when you were younger, you might have rushed through books or learned things just to pass a test. Now? You can absorb knowledge in a more thoughtful, connected way. You can make connections that younger minds miss, because you’ve spent decades collecting knowledge to link new ideas to.

This makes retirement the perfect time to:
✅ Learn a new language
✅ Pick up a musical instrument
✅ Study history, philosophy, or literature
✅ Explore new hobbies like painting, photography, or woodworking

Your ability to learn hasn’t disappeared—it’s just changed. And honestly? It’s more rewarding now than ever.

5. Using Your Intelligence Boosts Happiness and Purpose

One of the biggest challenges in retirement isn’t physical health—it’s mental engagement. Studies show that staying mentally active in retirement leads to greater happiness, better cognitive function, and even increased lifespan.

Your crystallised intelligence gives you purpose—whether it’s mentoring, writing, teaching, or even just engaging in thoughtful discussions. When you use your wisdom to help others, it creates a deep sense of fulfilment that’s hard to match.

How to Keep Your Crystallised Intelligence Sharp and Thriving

So how do you make the most of this incredible asset in retirement? Here are some practical ways to keep your mind engaged, fulfilled, and sharper than ever.

1. Share Your Knowledge

• Become a mentor – Whether for young professionals, students, or even your own grandkids, your wisdom is incredibly valuable.
• Teach a class – Community centers, libraries, and online platforms love experienced people sharing their skills.
• Write it down – A memoir, blog, or even a personal journal can help preserve your wisdom for future generations.

2. Stay Curious

• Read more – Books, articles, and documentaries keep your mind active.
• Take a class – Online courses, local college lectures, or discussion groups help you keep learning.
• Ask questions – Engage in conversations, debates, and new ideas—stay curious!

3. Keep Socially and Mentally Active

• Join clubs or discussion groups – Book clubs, philosophy groups, or trivia nights keep your mind sharp.
• Engage in meaningful conversations – Talking about big ideas keeps your brain in top shape.
• Challenge yourself daily – Crosswords, Sudoku, learning a new recipe—every little challenge counts!

Final Thoughts: Your Brain is a Treasure Trove—Use It!

Sure, fluid intelligence may slow down, but crystallised intelligence is like a fine wine—it only gets better with age.

Retirement isn’t a time to slow down mentally—it’s a time to embrace and use the wisdom you’ve built over a lifetime.

So whether it’s mentoring, learning, sharing your experiences, or simply engaging in thoughtful conversations, remember: your mind is more valuable than ever.

Now go forth and use that superpower—your best years of wisdom are just beginning!

Read These Articles

Both of todays articles I'm sharing are on LinkedIn, I apologies if your not on that platform but they are both far to good to not share. So if your not on LinkedIn, it takes 2 minutes to create a profile, it will be worth it to read them both, I promise!

👉 The Retirement Lie by Andrew Hilger

In "The Retirement Lie," Andrew Hilger challenges the traditional notion of retirement, suggesting that the concept of ceasing work at a certain age is outdated. He argues that many individuals find fulfilment and purpose through continued professional engagement beyond conventional retirement age. Hilger emphasises the importance of redefining retirement to focus on flexibility, personal growth, and the pursuit of passions, rather than adhering to a fixed age or societal expectation.

👉 Life Expectancy More Than Doubled Over The Last Century: Deconstructing a Dangerous Oversimplification by Denise Taylor

Life expectancy has more than doubled in the past century, but the real question isn’t how long we live—it’s how well we live. While we’ve reduced infant mortality, healthy life expectancy remains far lower, with many spending decades in poor health. Unrealistic ageing narratives and policies pushing longer work lives ignore deep health inequalities. Instead of just extending life, we must focus on quality, purpose, and fairness in ageing. This article challenges common misconceptions and explores how we can create a future where longer lives are truly lived well.