Boomers everywhere are beginning to discover that retirement, as we have known it for decades, needs redefining.
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The main reason why so many people have trouble enjoying a retirement lifestyle is that two out of three people enter retirement having given little or no thought to the non-financial components of retirement life, only to discover that those lifestyle elements play a much larger role in retirement than the financial issues that "retirement planning" typically focusses on.
Unfortunately, this discovery often comes later than it should.
Much of early, prime-time retirement is wasted as a result of this lack of non-financial planning. New retirees typically experience a one to five year retirement honeymoon period during which the mental, social, physical and spiritual challenges emerge that were never discussed or planned for in the offices of their financial planner.
Issues such as -
- Overcoming a loss of identity
- Different post-retirement interests between partners
- Boredom due to lack of challenge and social engagement
- Depression and physical deterioration because of reduced physical activity, lack of social interaction and lack of a sense of purpose.
So here are some suggestions to help you avoid becoming a "bored boomer" in retirement:
Discover what your passions are and use them as a guide to do things that really interest you.
Understand that your work identity is not who you really are. Think about who you really are and what defines you.
Have a purpose in your life. Find something to do with all these years that gives you drive and satisfaction.
Stay fit and healthy. There's not much fun having 20 plus years in retirement, if you're too sick or feeble to enjoy them.
Get a part-time job, or volunteer or look at starting your own small business in a field that interests you.
- Paul McKeon writes on retirement issues at www.retirementbooks.com.au