Want to be a SuperAger? 

Jason Branning

How long will you live? The question of individual longevity is the first big unknown that a retirement planning process must address. Longevity is a crucial retirement plan assumption that no one actually has control over. But, what if there was one habit you could do that would impact your longevity and your cognitive abilities for the 80th+ decade of life – would you act on it? 

Northwestern University has been researching cognitive decline and have discovered a few important observations from the first 25 years of the SuperAging Program 1 . One of the key takeaways from the study is that there are some things you can do to help maintain your cognitive abilities as you age.

You’ve probably heard of superfoods, but how about superagers? “SuperAger” defined by the study are individuals who are aged 80+ and maintain the cognitive abilities of the average middle aged person. An August 2025 article in Alzheimer’s & Dementia demonstrated one biological difference in the SuperAger versus the general population was less brain shrinkage. This biological difference seemed to offer protection from developing dementia.

A majority of seniors experience some cognitive decline by age 70. Arthur Brooks in his book, From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life , points out that there are different types of intelligence across life: fluid and crystalized. Fluid intelligence equates to our ability to solve problems, while crystalized intelligence is able to take the accumulation of experience and apply wisdom to situations. So even as our fluid intelligence falls as we get older, some good news is aging increases our crystalized intelligence.

Brooks goes on to observe that a second curve exists later in life that redefines success in life as strong relationships, spiritual growth, and a focus on wisdom rather than defining success with material accumulation. One of the lifestyle factors that the Northwestern study revealed was the highly social and out-going nature of these SuperAgers. These personality traits exhibited through lifestyle choices occurred at high levels among the SuperAgers who were part of the study. 

So if you want to strive to live long and maintain your cognitive abilities over time, consider these take-aways from the SuperAging Program. 

Key Actions 2 : 

  • Stay connected socially – join clubs or volunteer, 
  • Read, 
  • Take classes
  • Listen to music

Cognitive decline is an expected and natural part of the aging process. Yet, the study from Northwestern encourages us that there are lifestyle habits we can incorporate that improve the odds of slowing down decline like staying engaged socially. 

We are living in an exciting time that has seen medical advancements our grandparents could not have imagined. In spite of all the technological advance, leaning into human relationships can foster super aging benefits.

Jason Branning  is a fee-only, fiduciary advisor with Asset Dedication LLC, DBA Branning Wealth Management. He provides hands-on, practical financial advice for retirees and pre-retirees. 

Disclaimer: Asset Dedication is not responsible for the content of referenced third party websites. All links to third party websites are provided for reference purposes only.

Sources:

  1.   The first 25 years of the Northwestern University SuperAging Program
  2. Scientists Studied ‘SuperAgers’ For 25 Years And Found That They All Have This 1 Habit In Common

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