The picture of retirement looks different for everyone. For some, the transition is smooth. For others, the act of retiring may present challenges. Feelings about retirement can run the gamut as well. Some enter the new phase with ease while others find it more difficult. The following snippets highlight everyday people adjusting to the retirement experience. They clue us in to the benefits of saving for retirement, planning, and being flexible in one’s new role as a retiree.
Meet Gayle
Gayle worked as an executive for an insurance agency for 42 years. At work, she was held in high regard for her superior managerial skills. Upon retirement, she and her husband moved to a condominium in Florida. Gayle and her spouse saved up for retirement and are financially set. She expected to love retirement. Instead, she found herself waking up and lacking a plan for her day, and it made her feel restless. She acted by involving herself in community service where she takes on numerous leadership roles. She now regularly volunteers her time and energy to worthwhile causes and is thriving on her new schedule.
A decline in professional duties and a lack of schedule may negatively impact new retirees. Though retirement presents changes, it doesn’t have to look or feel empty. People have the power to write their next chapter. In this case, Gayle thrives by continuing her leadership role in new capacities.
Meet Jack
Jack dreamed of retiring to an elite golf course community after years of running a sporting goods shop. Unfortunately, a back injury and limited finances prevented him from pursuing that dream. Upon retirement, Jack moved in with his daughter and son-in-law. While they get along fine, Jack can’t help but feel that his retirement didn’t go as expected. Jack recognizes that living with regret is unhealthy. He accepts his situation and has rekindled his passion for painting. His art is currently being featured at a local gallery where it is receiving high praise.
The failure of retirement dreams can deliver a devastating blow. Rather than live with regret or grow bitter, Jack shifted his attitude to one of acceptance. He is adapting to change through his love of art.
Meet Gordon
Gordon is a retired auto mechanic who is dependent on his Social Security checks. He lives alone in his house with two dogs and a cat. He occasionally goes to the grocery store, but he mainly stays home. He works on an old car in his garage and watches a lot of television, too. He may go for several days without talking to people. Sometimes he feels lonely.
Retirement is not always picture-perfect. For some, it can be an isolating experience. To maintain human connections, Gordon may consider volunteering at a pet shelter, going to Synagogue, or befriending some neighbors to avoid seclusion.
Meet Ken and Lil
Married couple and former New York school teachers Ken and Lil retired in Arizona about five years ago. They have retirement savings accumulated through the years and own a well-maintained and modest residence in a 55 plus community near their family. Ken and Lil enjoy many hobbies, some solo and some shared. They visit their family often and are friendly with their neighbors. They enjoy meeting at the community pool for swimming and socializing. Retirement has been kind to them both health and travel wise, and they are living their best lives.
Blessed with good health and adequate savings due to years of careful planning, this couple maintains a nice home. They enjoy hobbies, traveling, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Bottom line
Retirement is a period of change and feelings about it can run the gamut. Some enthusiastically greet the change and others find it more challenging. Retirement can be fun, but “the golden years” may be met with hitches such as health and ageing issues, challenges moving from a lifetime of working to leisure, or difficulties with finances. Note that saving and planning for retirement is an early crucial step. Additionally, learning to ride the waves of retirement and adjusting one’s sails as needed are pivotal for success.
Disclosure: This article is for general purposes only and is not intended as professional advice.
I retired 6 years ago from a Local State Government job. (County Emplyee)
I was a Maintenance personal.
Retirement for me has been Great!
I make good use of my time.
I don’t have any regrets!
As a RN and my wife a ARNP our combined retirement is not enough to live on. We don’t have retirement from a hospital only what we were able to save over the years. We now live on SS. I and my wife know many Nures who gave thier lives for others and live on SS. It isn’t much of a life but it was our choice. We don’t travel to Europe or for that matter anywhere. Our trip to the store/supermarket is as long a trip as we can afford. I get a kick out of ads that show Seniors traveling all over the world and dining out every night. I only hope the young people of today don’t turn out like us, living on Govt. handouts and being told we are the drain on Society. We give our tax money to illegals and to people who live on medicaid and refuse to work (Iam not talking about those who can’t work, only those that refuse to), give money to countries that hate us and want our destruction. We allow politicians to become rich on graft and do nothing about it. MR TRUMP, please do all you can to save our country and GOD please help him to do it.
The moral of this story is that life is what you make of it— always— but especially in retirement. Happiness and contentment are a matter of will in many cases. Learning how to make your life fulfilling without employment at a full time job can take some adjustment and rejiggering as you go along. Don’t be afraid to make adjustments when necessary. We’ve been retired for over 20 years now and still have dreams of having to be at work. Then we wake up to the good life!