Some Thoughts and Observations on Retirement
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
Seeing some articles on the ABC website about the subject of retirement, got me thinking again about the subject of retirement. (Not necessarily my own.) The articles I found were “A great gift or unexpected curse? Reflections on life as a new retiree” by Matt Eaton. This was followed by Finishing work can stir mixed emotions, but how do you achieve a good retirement? (By Anastasia Safioleas, Kate Jones and Kate Uebergang) from July of last year.
I was also reminded of the work of Nancy Schlossberg, who is described (on her website) as a “95-Year-Old-Rebel Who is Not Slowing Down”.
I first found her writings many years while preparing a presentation about “Retiring With Grace: Without Her Wanting to Throttle You too Often”. This was a look at the psychological aspects of retirement, as I said then, I’d leave the financial side of the subject to the accountants, financial advisers and the like. (I’ve presented the talk a few times over the years.)
One aspect of retirement I got from reading through her work was the idea of different “types” of retirement. She refers to six different types of retiree:
- Continuers – Those who carry on with skills and interests they already have;
- Easy Gliders – Those who just enjoy whatever the day brings them;
- Retreaters – People who “drop out” and disengage from life;
- Adventurers – Those who get into completely new situations;
- Searchers – People who use a trial-and-error approach as they explore new ideas;
- Involved Spectators – Those who may be less engaged than before but still engaged with what’s going on in the world.
She has said that “Leading a successful retirement is about much more than money. It’s about feeling you matter, that you are and will be noticed and appreciated. You can make this happen by finding ways to enhance your Identity, your Relationships and your Purpose in life.”. She also talks about the “Four S’s” – Situation, Self, Supports and Strategies. These could be thought of as follows;
- Situation – e.g. Are you living in a house that is too big for you to look after?
- Self – e.g. Do you feel comfortable in the decision to retire?
- Supports – e.g. What supports do you have around you? (Family, friends, etc.)
- Strategies – e.g. What are you going to do to keep yourself occupied or busy?
She’s written several books over the years, with a photo of her (on her website) leaning on a big pile of her previous titles. Many also available as audiobooks. I could only find one of her books, (the most recent) in the WA public library system, being Too young to be old : love, learn, work, and play as you age.
However, you might like other titles of hers like “Retire Smart, Retire Happy: Finding Your True Path in Life” or “Revitalizing Retirement: Reshaping Your Identity, Relationships, and Purpose” (also available as a Kindle edition) with these being no doubt available online (e.g. my favourite addall.com) or physical bookstores apart from via her website: https://www.transitionsthroughlife.com/
Other titles potentially worth looking into might include Enjoying retirement : a handbook of ideas, strategies and resources by Michael Longhurst (in various WA library’s) as well as his The beginner’s guide to retirement. Another being How to retire happy : the 12 most important decisions you must make before you retire by Stan Hinden. Also Retirement: the psychology of reinvention by Kenneth S. Shultz, PhD, with Megan Kaye and Mike Annesley.
So, in summary, some “food for thought”. If you want to discuss your own attitudes to retirement, or for example look at Nancy Schlossberg’s “4 S’s” please feel free to phone my Business Support Office on 1300506768 (M-F 8am-5pm) or book 24/7 via the HealthEngine links on my Webpage.
