According to the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, the average retirement age is 64 for men and 62 for women. This means some people are working all through their middle-aged years and may not have the opportunity to partake in retirement-type activities until they are older.
Going from working daily and having a purpose to doing whatever you want can be quite the transition. If you are retiring soon or know someone who is, try these tips to ease into newfound freedom:
Work Part-Time
Some seniors are bored and wish they had something to do when they retire. Why not work part-time instead of logging full-time hours? You can potentially stay at your regular job or consider getting an entirely different position. Perhaps you always wanted to fill a seasonal position like running rides at a theme park or selling ice cream at the stand on the beach. Give these low-stress, high-fun jobs a try now that you’re doing work as a choice instead of a necessity. You can always use the extra money you earn to create a college fund for your grandkids or even make some leeway paying off debt.
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Talk with a financial adviser or accountant to create a retirement budget.
Create a Budget
Some people aren’t concerned about how they’ll spend their time during retirement. Instead, they’re worried about allocating funds to live comfortably and not constantly thinking about ensuring they have enough. You can alleviate these fears by creating a budget. Work with an accountant to decide how to allocate 401(k) and retirement funds so your bills and living expenses are covered, yet you have some money left over. Consider saving some room for travel or a hobby you love, like taking music lessons or painting. Also discuss your investments. It’s important to understand the risks associated with any company you have stock in so you can make sure you’ve made the right decision in investing your money. Once you know exactly where your hard-earned cash is going, you can focus on making the most of no longer having a job.
Stay Social
Many people don’t realize they’ll miss the social aspect of their job when they retire. You may even find yourself missing that guy at the office who always used buzzwords like “bottom line” and “circle back.”
“You may miss people from your work.”
The key to dealing with this feeling is to maintain other relationships in your life. Perhaps your spouse is retired too, and you can spend some quality time together. If you have friends who also have ample time off, consider creating weekly gatherings to play cards, go fishing, or eat out. Instead of being bored alone, you’ll have plenty to do to stay busy.
Tend to Family Matters
Seniors often have friends and family who reside in assisted living or memory care communities. Once you’ve retired, you’ll have tons of time to go visit. Stop by to enjoy a meal in the dining room, take a stroll outside, or even help your loved one with errands like attending doctor’s appointments or getting groceries. It’s great to provide support to people who are close to us. Plus, it’s nice to know that someone will someday help you in similar ways. Also, make time for younger family members by attending your grandchildren’s sports games and birthday parties. Maybe even take up a new hobby to have something to enjoy with your kids. Some seniors even take family vacations that include several generations of members, during which everyone can relax and benefit from one another’s company in a faraway locale. Consider retirement as an opportunity to make many memories for years to come.
