|
The previous pages of this Guide have looked at various
aspects of why we should plan for retirement and they deal
with what perhaps could be described as the basics of our
planning. However, there are other issues that are, in their
own way, just as important and that we should think about as
part of our planning process.
Lifestyle
We need to consider the type of
lifestyle that we want because, to a large extent, this will
determine the kind of choices that we make. For example, if we
think that we're likely to want to go on holiday at the drop of
a hat we shouldn't commit ourselves to regular work or regular
classes of any kind. If we do, we will give ourselves stress
when we want to go on holiday but have other commitments to
think about.
On the other hand, if we think that we're going to need some
sort of stimulus to encourage us to do things and to meet new
people, then maybe some sort of regular commitment will suit us
very well.
So think about what we want in general terms from retirement
and then make the details fit round it.
Self
We should think about what sort of
person we are and what we want from retirement in order to make
the choices that will provide us with fulfilment in retirement.
So we need to think about ourselves in terms of our skills,
personal qualities, characteristics and personality traits and
then choose things to do - be they work or leisure - that will
fit what's inside us and makes us tick. If we don't, we're
unlikely to get fulfilment and satisfaction from them.
We should also think about our values and what it is that
gives us satisfaction out of life. Some of us prefer small
groups of people to large numbers, some of us like creative
things whilst some prefer precision and order. Some people want
to feel secure while some of us like a more risky challenge.
These and many other aspects of life give different people
satisfaction and we need to think about what it is that provides
it for us before we launch into things. If we do things that
don't meet our values and preferences, they are unlikely to
prove rewarding.
Hobbies and Pastimes
Once we've retired it's likely that we will want to do more
leisure activities. The average person spends between 50 and 55
hours at work or on work-related activities such as commuting.
So, when we retire, there is a lot of time to fill and hobbies
is one way of using our time. We do hobbies and pastimes because
we enjoy them so it's worth spending some time considering the
type of hobby or activity that we will truly enjoy.
So we need to think about the issues that are referred to
above - our own personality and our values and preferences -
when we're considering new leisure activities. There are
hundreds of hobbies and pastimes but they won't all suit us. We
need to plan the things we are going to take up so that we make
the right choices and we gain enjoyment from them.
Travelling and Holidays
We will lose a lot of social contact
when we leave work, so we need to replace it so that we get that
external stimulus that we need. One way of doing this is by
travelling, taking regular holidays and generally getting out
and about. This will, in turn, help us to keep our brain active
and also, to a certain extent, our body. Not only that - most of
us thoroughly enjoy being out, travelling around and taking
holidays!
It's therefore important that we think about what sort of
pattern we want for our travelling and holidays. If we want to
be able to go at short notice and/or to spend three months
abroad in the winter, that will impact on our other activities.
So we need to think about how important travel and holidays are
to us and what priority to give to them. Is everything else
going to revolve around them or will they be secondary to the
other things that we want to do?
It is important to think about these issues so that we don't
get stressed trying to resolve the conflict that will result
from too many things competing for our time.
Moving House
Many people choose to move house in
retirement. Some of us do it soon after retirement, for a number
of reasons. Downsizing is a very common and very good reason for
moving, for example. Other people move to be closer to family,
to go back to where they consider 'home' and any number of other
reasons.
As we get older, there are a number of other reasons why
people move. It may be that we need a house that is easier to
maintain, has a smaller garden or is closer to shops and other
amenities.
Many experts say that if we do feel that we will want or need
to move in retirement then it's better to move sooner rather
than later, while we're fitter and have more opportunity to make
new friends and build new networks. So we need to consider and
plan the issue of moving house - possible reasons, timescales
and so on. It's important to get it right if we do move because
it's far too stressful and expensive to move, find that we've
moved to somewhere we don't like and have to move again.
It's even more difficult if we're considering moving abroad.
There's the increased difficulty of researching possible
locations because of the distance involved. There are also
issues such as pension provision, currency exchange, property
and inheritance tax laws and access to medical facilities, to
name but a few. For some help and guidance on moving abroad,
take a look at the laterlife
Guide to Moving Abroad.
Relationships
Retirement should be a time when we can strengthen our
relationships, be they with a partner, friends or family. We'll
have more time to devote to the special people in our lives and
so we should be able to improve and deepen our relationships
with them.
However, these relationships will be different, particularly
with our partner. Never before will we have had the opportunity
to spend so much time together and so the relationship will
change - particularly when both partners are retired. All
relationships need working at and if the relationship is
changing, then it needs working at even harder. So we must think
about how we're going to handle it and talk about it with each
other.
We also need to understand how the relationship will develop
with family and friends. Just because we now have more time to
devote to other people, doesn't mean that they have more time to
devote to us. So whilst they will undoubtedly appreciate a
little more attention from us there may be limits and we have to
be aware of other people's needs and space.
Why Plan for Retirement? links
|
So we should think about and plan just how we're going to
handle the new opportunities that arise for developing our
relationships. If we get it right they will be even better than
they are now but it won't just happen and, if we get it wrong,
our relationships could even suffer.
These issues should form part of our overall plan for retirement.
A proper plan can minimise our potential concerns
and maximise our enjoyment of retirement.
So read the rest of the Laterlife Guide to 'Why Plan for
Retirement? by clicking on the links in the box. It will give
you food for thought so that you can then make your plan. You
might also like to look at our
Planning for Retirement workshops and then ask your employer
to pay for you to attend one. You will be able to spend the day
discussing your retirement and gleaning ideas from others about
how to best enjoy the rest of your life.
|
