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Fulfilling journey awaits those who plan
“Retire from work, but not from life.”
—M.K. Soni, Each Life Is A Journey
When you hear the word retirement, what do you think? I’m guessing that most of our thoughts on the subject can be grouped under two general headings: “no more work” and “finances.” This stands to reason, of course, because everyone knows that retirement is when you finally get to stop working. (Whew, made it!) And of course, everyone knows that successful retirement requires sound financial planning. (Yes, I’ll take the extra on that Lotto Max!)
These two trains of thought may be the most common ones, but I also think our society has awoken to the idea that retirement is so much more than not working and balancing the chequebook. As the articles in this issue of the ATA Magazine illustrate, retirement is also about well-being on many other fronts: social, physical, emotional, intellectual. It’s about personal growth and engagement, and yes, saying “to hell with it” from time to time (not too often, or you’ll be branded as crotchety!).
Regarding perception, it’s easy to fall into the trap of perceiving retirement as a destination, a place where you arrive, drop your luggage and sink into the nearest easy chair (or poolside lounger) ... okay, maybe for the first six months, but what about the three decades that follow? Did you know that the average teacher lives 30 years after retirement? What are you going to do during that time (besides read back issues of the ATA Magazine?). I think we’ve also awoken to the idea that retirement is a journey in its own right, a time of continued exploration, growth, striving and contribution.
As with any journey, the prospects of success in retirement hinge greatly on the amount and quality of planning that’s taken place beforehand. This is where it’s impossible to avoid handing out that tired but true advice: start early. This is because so many of the elements required for a successful retirement, even beyond the filling of days and paying for them, are established and maintained during one’s working life. I’m talking about elements like values, personal insight and social connections. These don’t just magically appear, in place and healthy, on retirement day.
Ideally, retirement day should be a straightforward transition to a new stage of life, a stage that, like others, is what you make of it. The key is to understand, embrace and act on the notion that this “making” begins well before you cut your farewell cake, tearfully glance over that group card and stride to your car with your box of belongings.
