Retirement is something most people spend their lives looking forward to reaching. The idea of peacefully resigning from a life of work and living a more relaxed and slow-paced lifestyle is something many people feel they’ve earned. However, transitioning into retirement is a huge life event that can feel uncomfortable. Many people confront feelings of aimlessness, loss of purpose, and even identity crisis after resigning from their careers.
Although there are many feelings associated with retirement, it is a time of celebration! Let’s discuss ways to help make the transition into retirement easier and more meaningful.
Managing Expectations
Many people spend their entire lives working toward a sustainable and consistent career. Working fulfills our human need to belong and contribute to our community. At the end of the day, we are pack creatures who thrive when we fill we are truly helpful.
In today’s society, retirees face significant and unique challenges. Western culture has built an ideology surrounding working men and women. It is seen as self-sacrificing and estimable to be extremely busy and hard at work. Not only is it noble to always be working, but it is frowned upon to take significant time off, even for life events once revered as more significant and honorable, like childbirth. Still, many people dream of the day they have earned their retirement with thoughts of travel, new adventures, and simplicity.
So, how do retirees maintain a sense of purpose in a society that values work ethic above all else?
Slowly Ease Out of the Workplace
Instead of a quick transition into retirement, try to take things slow. Slowly cut down on your working hours, if possible, and go at a comfortable pace. Many people mark their retirement quite quickly with a notice to their employer and a last hoorah. The slower you transition, the more time you will have to confront little discomforts along the way.
For example, as your working hours dwindle, you might find a feeling of aimlessness set in. Suddenly your mornings or afternoons are free, and you don’t know what to do with your time. This is the time to remember your visions and dreams of retirement and introduce yourself to new pastimes. Maybe it’s golf or more frequent trips to the sea; whatever the case, start adding new hobbies and adventures to your weeks to increase well-being and relax into retirement.
Think Seriously About Your Retirement Plan
Before making the transition to full-time retirement, meet with the necessary parties to discuss your retirement plan. A good place to start if you work for a corporation is the HR department. They will have advice and resources to help you understand retirement options for your specific line of work. You might find, in some instances, you are eligible for early retirement. If you suspect this is the case, contact an HR representative to discuss in length the details.
You will also want to meet with financial advisors to discuss the best option for you. Further, you can contact the US Employee Benefits Security Administration for more resources and guidance concerning retirement and social security benefits.
Think About the Unexpected
As you transition into retirement, it is important to meet with your attorney to discuss your will and estate. If you have any health conditions that might worsen with age, it is strongly advised to create a living will that discusses what to do in cases of emergency and the medical care you’d like to receive.
For example, you can establish a living will that discusses your wishes post-dementia diagnosis. You might decide to pursue care services for dementia at home and thoroughly vet options that align with your wishes.
Summary
Instead of plunging into retirement, a slow transition can benefit your mental and financial health. It is important to manage your expectations, consult the proper parties to discuss finances and well-being, and ensure you have the retirement you’ve always longed for.
