7 Ways to Age Gracefully Like the Best Stock Photo Seniors

An older couple tasting wine in the grape field. The man is dressed as if he has been tending the grapes.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

As a retirement editor, I sift through hundreds of stock photos of aging couples; I’ve come to know one perfect pair that consistently hits just the right note for a retirement article. They are, essentially, a mirror to our own sense of what aging should look like. Around Kiplinger, we call them “Dan” and “Sue,” though we don’t know their actual names.

They are both athletic, with thick, silver hair and bright smiles. In their late sixties, they are active and fun, but they also look like the kind of people who would pore over tax brackets. I’m almost certain they are Serbian, because that’s the location given for most of their images. At the very least, they are European; one poolside shot shows Dan in a Speedo, which hardly screams “American.” There’s no way to know, however, because stock photo companies generally protect the identity of their models. In fact, many models are regular people, not professionals.

You’ll find Dan and Sue on countless other sites, whether the topic is geriatric medicine, life insurance or financial planning. But here’s the thing: They are lovable. Like good actors, they commit to whatever job awaits them. And by reflecting on them, we can learn a bit about how our culture views retirement and even pick up some valuable tips. So, here’s the Dan and Sue way to age gracefully.

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1. Dance in the kitchen with your spouse

Romantic couple dancing at home and smiling while doing so.

When you type “happy senior” into a stock photo website, you’ll see a lot of older people laughing while they eat ice cream cones, or that old standby, dancing in the kitchen. I’m 60, and I’ve never danced in the kitchen with my husband, but I want to be the kind of person who does. The main takeaway here is to live in the moment, to embrace Dan and Sue's example of joie de vivre.

2. Love your partner — a lot

Happy mature couple communicating while enjoying in autumn day on a hill.

If Dan and Sue weren't already a couple, they would probably go out on some hot dates, as this photo implies. It's refreshing to know that stock photo companies recognize that older adults do, indeed, date and have romantic lives, though hopefully not quite so cringeworthy.

3. Except when you don't love your partner

Senior couple having a disagreement while using a laptop in their modern kitchen, highlighting communication challenges and relationship dynamics in later life.

Alas, there are many stock images of older couples fighting over open laptops, suggesting they are arguing over money. Even though a couple may have been together for decades, they can still disagree about when to retire and other financial decisions. As Dan and Sue remind us, you can fight over money in a beautiful kitchen, and then make up the best way they know….

A senior couple dancing together in their kitchen. The senior man and woman are enjoying a joyful moment, holding each other as they move rhythmically to music. They smiling, sharing a special connection, and the scene is filled with warmth and happiness.

4. Have a fabulous career

Handsome wealthy senior businessman sitting in his own air transport chopper or helicopter and preparing to fly on business meeting.

Even if you've already retired, you can "unretire" into that exciting career you always wanted. Or with a phased retirement, you can keep your job but reduce your hours or stress level. Dan and Sue have had many, many exciting careers. From Dan piloting a helicopter to Sue's high-tech medical research job, they've done it all, and you can too.

5. Be playful

Happy senior woman having fun while being pushed by her husband in shopping cart during autumn day in nature.

Want to have a happy retirement? You don't need to get pushed around in a shopping cart, but embracing your playful side and staying optimistic are great habits to cultivate.

6. Stay healthy and active

Senior couple in sports clothing and sports technologies jogging together across the bridge.

We all know that exercise and a healthy diet are key to aging well. While we may all hope we look like Dan and Sue on the track, a simple exercise like walking is a great way to age gracefully. Just picking up the pace a bit on your walk, especially when paired with devices to help monitor you and keep you motivated, could help you avoid frailty and other aging risks.

7. Love your friends and family

Grandparents with their two granddaughters looking at pictures on a smartphone, spending some quality time together, having fun.

There's ample evidence that loneliness in retirement can not only make you miserable but also harm your health. Building strong family and friendship ties (or the "Kevin Bacon rule of retirement") is key to aging gracefully. Just don't follow Dan and Sue on this one; you'll find them in many different family combinations, and sometimes even with different spouses!

What Dan and Sue get right

An older couple laughs together, seated at an outdoor table.

Dan and Sue deliver when it comes to "senior" fashion. She sports jaunty scarves and brightly-colored frames, while he often wears retro hats or dapper suits. Yet what these models actually model goes beyond natty clothing. They are dedicated and consistent. I've seen dozens, probably hundreds of images featuring these two, and they always seem to be in the moment, their faces reflecting whatever assignment they have been given.

We can't all have killer cheekbones and perfect teeth, but we can certainly age the Dan and Sue way, gracefully and with commitment.

Ellen writes and edits retirement stories. She joined Kiplinger in 2021 as an investment and personal finance writer, focusing on retirement, credit cards and related topics. She worked in the mutual fund industry for 15 years as a manager and sustainability analyst at Calvert Investments. She earned a master’s from U.C. Berkeley in international relations and Latin America and a B.A. from Haverford College.