Five centenarians share their secrets to a successful life and retirement: 'I refuse to think old.'

Business Insider

10-05-2025

Americans who have made it to 100 years old have seen a lot: the Great Depression, the moon landing, 16 presidents, and the ups and downs of 2025.
Five centenarians — people who are at least 100 years old — told Business Insider that life keeps getting better in the triple digits, and shared their advice for a successful life and retirement. This included slow and deliberate investments, keeping busy however they could, maintaining friendships, and, as one put it, "thinking young."
Though these centenarians said they aren't as worried about money as much now that they're living with their children or grandchildren or in an assisted living facility, most stressed the importance of patience, giving to charity, and saving cautiously for the very long term.
Census population estimates from July 2024 show about 98,000 centenarians in the US, about 75% of whom are women. This number has nearly tripled since 1990. The Census Bureau projects over 421,000 Americans to be at least 100 years old by 2054, making up 0.1% of the US population.
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Financial advice from centenarians
The most important financial advice the centenarians shared was saving whatever they could and letting it grow over time.
Jack Weber, 101, said one of the keys to his financial success was investment for the long term using excess funds, which he's planning to use to help his descendants. Weber, a Navy veteran who spent much of his life as a dentist, retired in 1984 after building a successful practice and investing in real estate, at one point paying mortgages on three houses.
"The stock market goes up and down today. We're in a terrible downturn in the market. But in the long run, over many years, the stock market always goes up," said Weber, who lives on Long Island.
Weber said starting small with investments is the way to go, adding people shouldn't go to the bank and put their money in a savings account that only gets 2% interest.
"Put it in a good solid stock, and a mutual fund is probably your best bet," Weber said, acknowledging that younger generations have faced more challenges buying a home.
Margaret Vaccaro, 102, added that having patience leads to better long-term financial outcomes. Vaccaro worked for much of her career in healthcare finance, including a 25-year stint as a certified director of patient accounts at a major hospital.
Though she lives at an assisted living facility in Peekskill, New York, Vaccaro still manages donations for the facility as a volunteer, writing letters to residents' contacts to raise money and overseeing holiday funds for non-management employees.
"If you watch your pennies, if you watch what you do, then when you need the dollars for a downpayment on that house or for a new car, you've got them," Vaccaro said.
While Helen Juanita Glover's late husband of 85 years handled their finances, she now lives on her pension and Social Security. Glover said she's found fulfilment throughout by giving money not saved for bills to her church and various charities.
"I don't think about inheriting or getting money and what I'm going to do with it," Glover, 107, said. "I think of who I'm going to give it to."
Staying busy and active
The centenarians stressed that they always had something to do and had something to strive toward, from writing a book to volunteering part-time. All discussed challenges such as outliving loved ones, and they've all discovered purpose through staying active.
Barbara Fleischman, 101, still invites friends over for meals, stays up to date on current events, and said she can't "just sit still." Fleischman, who spent her career volunteering with cultural institutions in New York, said the key to enjoying life a century in has been "making things better and more interesting," continuing to surround herself with people from all generations.
"I'm trying to learn something every day, and it's a very big challenge," Fleischman said.
Diane Volz, 102, spends hours each day writing her life story, which she hopes to share with younger generations. She spearheads a book club, reads newspapers daily, and stays on top of politics, not too different from her career in journalism. She also still dances in her bedroom, much like she did as a dancer for MGM — where she had a cameo in "Meet Me in St. Louis."
Weber packs his days with golf, swimming, and weight training — anything he can to "not sit in an armchair." After his wife's death 20 years ago, he committed to "get back into life again" instead of grieving, serving as the president of his area's Lions Club, driving to the grocery store, and sharing stories with others about his life.
After getting bored during the pandemic, he authored a memoir leading up to his 100th birthday about achieving a meaningful life, and he's starring in the upcoming documentary " Lessons From 100" shot by his grandson.
"You can't give up. You've got to fight and stay with it," Weber said.
Maintaining strong social circles
Though most of the centenarians said they've outlived their friends, many emphasized the importance of staying connected with family or seeking out younger friends and people searching for guidance.
Glover said she's coped with loss by seeking out connections at her church. Much like how she gave back to her church by teaching vacation bible school and serving as an organist, she said many give back to her. After her son died in February, she moved from California to North Carolina with her granddaughter and has committed to "starting a new life" at 107. She's adjusting to her new church and community, which has taken her in with open arms. She said younger people at her church call her "Auntie Helen."
Fleischman agreed that "If the community has been nice to you, you give back to the community." Fleischman said she's maintained strong social networks at her assisted living facility, regularly contacts people at museums and libraries to give talks, and acts as a support system to others in whatever way she can.
The key is to be "supportive, to listen, and to care," Fleischman said, adding she's found joy in surrounding herself with friends across generations.
For Weber, sometimes the quiet of his home is most fulfilling, acknowledging he wouldn't like being surrounded by strangers at a facility. His family often invites him to gatherings, while he's found connections at the Lions Club, delivering Thanksgiving baskets in recent years.
Weber said the reality of aging is being "the last one standing," adding that he's lost his good friends and that "time hangs heavy on your hands."
Both Weber and Volz stressed the importance of falling in love with something, whether it's a significant other, a career, or a life path. Volz said ignoring negative people and finding comfort in someone or something has driven her to stay happy.
'Thinking young'
Weber said his decision to "think young" has driven him to keep pushing at 101 — and act like he's much younger.
"Don't let the old man in," Weber said, adding he owns a black sweater with the phrase on it. He said it's empowered him to keep doing the physical and mental activities.
Though his muscles aren't like they used to be, he stressed feeling "like a million bucks" and refusing to adopt a "can't do this or can't do that" mentality has fueled him.
"I feel I'm very lucky and fortunate to be in good health and sound mind," Weber said. "Do I have some aches and pains? I sure do, but I don't talk about them and I don't let them run my life. I'm still in good enough health that I can still enjoy my rounds of golf."
Vaccaro added that she always focuses on what she'd "like to do tomorrow" instead of on the past. She still embraces being a mother as though she were in her 30s, and she's continued doing what she feels is right and authentic.
Glover wakes up each morning thinking as though she's "20 years younger," finding it "weird" she's outlived some of her loved ones. A "pleasant smile" goes a long way, she said, and she's embraced being as independent as she can to feel youthful. She still plays Scrabble with her grandchildren, tells knock-knock jokes to her friends, and starts every day with a donut.