Retiring Gracefully

Most Americans want to retire in their early sixties, preferably in their fifties.

However, recent legislation is making it harder to enforce people to retire at the statutory retirement age. 

More and more, the choice is yours – will you stay on past your retirement date and enjoy the privileges of working (high income, work colleagues and activity) or choose to wind down into retirement.

It’s long been the case that individuals in certain roles have not been subjected to retiring at a particular age – in particular, world leaders & presidents, religious leaders and many judiciary roles.

The key to a graceful retirement is to find a fuller, more meaningful life than the working life which we are leaving.

Don't simply retire from something; have something to retire to. ~Harry Emerson Fosdick

CBS recently shared the story of Rev Lewis Smith who claims to have “found a new calling in his second act”, caring for horses on his ranch. 

Many people may choose to continue working but in a different capacity, with financial reward no longer being the motivating factor, rather personal reward and interest play a key role.

As you consider your options for the future, consider the following ten tips:-

1. Have you enough to live on comfortably as you approach retirement
2. Would you like to retain an interest or part-time role at your current employer
3. Will you want to help your kids out with the grandchildren?
4. Will you want to be maintaining your own home indefinitely?
5. Are you considering moving – if so, do you have friends or contacts in the area that you’re planning to move to?
6. Would you be willing to consider a change of location, if it meant a better standard of living ?
7. What luxuries might I consider doing without, when I reach retirement
8. Can I enjoy the standard and style of living that I’d like in my current location
9. Does my current location offer the cultural interests that I want to enjoy when I’m retired
10. What am I doing now to build up interests and friendships outside of my work colleagues?

By thinking through some of these questions, you’ll start to get some idea of what’s important to you as you reach this crossroads in your life.

A little planning now will go a long way to ensuring a happy and financially secure future.