Retirement, unlike taxes, usually comes only once in a lifetime when you decide to retire early, on time or later than planned. It’s been called a rite of passage moving from a steady diet of stressful work and endless hours, to the coveted life of leisure. But as luck would have it, it can be fraught with unanticipated and unwelcome problems of varying type, such as declining health, fixed incomes and fewer relationships. If you are in the latter category here are some thoughts to ponder.
- “Reassess, Destress”
Studies comparing younger and older workers reveal that one of the hallmarks of older workers is their mastery of problem-solving skills. So, don’t replace one stressful situation with another. Focus on managing, changing, and controlling your life circumstances not the reverse. - “Live Long and Prosper”.
Mr. Spock had it right. You’re retired, not petrified. Adopt a healthy lifestyle. Cut the fat, get plenty of sleep, exercise, everything in moderation and eliminate self-destructive habits. The benefits are amazing. You’ll live longer and healthier. - “Get Involved, Get Active”
If you’re shy just get over it and get out and meet people and get involved. And if you’re outgoing, then great, get on with it. Meet people of all ages, backgrounds and interests. Open your life and let some fresh air in. Laugh and connect. Science tell us that staying engaged and active can prolong life. There is so much to do, people to meet, things to learn, and time to enjoy - “Down Size, Don’t Right Size”
Stop hoarding. A cluttered house is a cluttered life. Get rid of all that space-filling, dust- gathering clutter. Voila, you’ll feel liberated. - “Get Back into the Game”
At retirement, you have on average 20 or more years ahead, and even possibly reach the century mark. As Cher once said “I have done so much more than I thought I would do, and yet I am not finished.” Work has meaning and benefits beyond extra income like mental and physical well-being and life satisfaction, so work, just not as hard.
You know the adage about idle hands? It’s time to close the devil’s workshop.
So Who Are These Boomers?
Did you know that many older Americans never “retire” and nine in ten retirees turn to Social Security for their primary source of income, averaging only $1,335 a month? Or that two in five retirees spend the majority of their time alone watching TV or listening to the radio as their primary source of leisure? Some have no social contact other than perhaps caring for grandchildren, often out of necessity, not necessarily preference.
Sound familiar? It is for millions of older Americans fortunate enough to retire with family, friends and disposable income. That’s conventional thought, but that is only partially true.
Retirees in the so called “Golden Years” are on the move like an army of soldier ants buying, selling and consuming like never before. They have disposable income from savings, pensions, investments and they are opening their pocket books and spending. Awesome.
For starters, 10,000 baby boomers retire every minute in the U.S., a trend that started in 2011 and will continue to 2029.
Someone once forecasted the Greying of America starting in 2011 and continuing to 3029. They could have coined it the Receding Hair Lines in America, or the Rise of Ball Room Dancing in America.
Only a little over half are still married at the time of retirement, many outliving their spouses as widow(er)s, divorced, separated or never married.
My advice to retirees is to get healthy, exercise and eat right. So, retirement is a double edge sword. Travel, leisure and money to spend on one hand, and fixed incomes and isolation on the other. Don’t sit around or sleep all day, we’ll all have a long time to do that one day. And stop watching endless hours of TV.
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