Retirement-It's Only the Beginning!

The concept of “retirement” has only been around since the late 1900’s. Many “Retirees” have replaced this concept with renewal--persons that have decided that they still have many productive years left. They’re doing a variety of things from a chemical engineer and his wife starting up a business in Import/Export furniture, learning a new career in acupuncture after “retiring” from a nursing role, and a “retired” nuclear engineer becoming top salesman at Saturn, just to name a few. All wanted to do something fun--different from their career job from which they had “retired.” They embody the concept of “protirement!

Frederic Hudson, in “The Joy of Old,” talks of that concept of "protirement”--modification of work hours but still staying engaged--“Elderhood” is a time in life for each of us to gain the highest level of consciousness, conscience and mission as human beings.”

Financial concerns make it necessary to keep working. Many, however, cut back on their hours or do more projects--less day-to-day. Experts say that when considering retirement, it is often recommended that they begin with a gradual cutting back of hours, so he and his spouses can prepare for it. Often the spouse doesn’t know what to do now that their spouse is “underfoot” more. Create a space for the soon-to-be-retired who will no longer have an office at work--that “space” that’s just for him/her. This is important so the newly retired person has a space to call his/her own--and won’t feel displaced.

The key to a happy meaningful retirement is to retire TO something--having a purpose, a reason to get up--be it as a consultant, volunteering for the Red Cross, or traveling and spending your years with family & friends, honing your golf/tennis games or whatever you choose. Some use this time to take up a new hobby, learn a foreign language, take computer classes--the opportunities are endless!

A young 65 year old I know volunteers at his local bike shop in exchange for bike accessories and rides 40-50 miles on the weekend, or a 20 miler in the evening with his still-working wife. Another happy “retiree” has taken up contra dancing, and is always willing to show me a step or two. Happiness is for some, but not for everyone.

For others, retirement is a death sentence. It can be a depressing period of not knowing where to go or feeling useful. Think of Jack Nicholson in “About Schmidt,” the story of a newly retired insurance man struggling for a place in life--needs to feel useful to someone, something. Maybe taking some interest/personality inventories would’ve helped point him in a direction and clarify things!

Developing a plan for your elder hood and retirement can be the difference between enjoying those years of renewal and new beginnings and dreading the passing of time.