Four Questions to Address Before You Retire

A worthwhile book for those preparing to retire is Don’t Retire, Rewire by Jeri Sedlar and Rick Miners. The co-authors raise many interesting questions you should answer before you retire. 

The following four questions are based on their rather exhaustive list of queries.

1. What will you miss most when you stop working?  

Depending on your answer, you should rearrange your retirement accordingly.  If you will miss the challenges rather (or more) than the social life, you obviously need to make different changes to your schedule.  How about your sense of having authority, or feeling less vital? That too needs to be put in the equation and find ways that you will have these benefits after stopping going to work.

2. How will you fill the time?  

To properly answer this question you should list your current hobbies and activities, as well as the new ones you want to take up.  Do you have any interests or undertakings you have not had a chance to pursue while working? Alongside to them, you should note how many hours per week you will devote to them.  Are there any ambitions or interests that you have hidden from other and are just waiting to fulfill these pursuits?

3. What will bring you joy and excitement to the same degree as your last position?  We often underestimate the psychic rewards we receive at work: the “good job” pat from your boss and coworkers.  What and who will boost your ego once you leave the workforce?

4. How will your being around the house affect other people?  

If you have a significant other or children leaving with you, you need to consider how they will react to your puttering around the house or apartment. The most important thing is to have a serious discussion with them. Are we going to be of service to those we love and love us, or are we going to be a burden?  We don’t live in isolation.  Our forced companionship may be encouraged or seen as stifling.  

The more answers you have to these (and other) queries the more you will be prepared for retirement.  Remember, asking these questions of yourself – and your partner – is good.  Better to ask first, then to find out after the deed has been done – if given a choice.

Have any thoughts on the issue? Share them with us at www.MatureAging.com, and we may post them (only after getting your permission) in a future edition.

Till next time,

Josh