Crossword Genius

The latter years of Einstein? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nineties

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'the latter years' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I can't understand how one could define the other.

'of einstein?' is the wordplay.
'of' indicates an anagram (the answer comes from or 'of' the letters).
'einstein' anagrammed gives 'NINETIES'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for nineties that I've seen before include "they were once described as naughty!" , "many old people are in" , "make batsmen nervous" , "Recent decade" , "Last decade of century" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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