Fear of Retirement: Not Just About Money

Can we age, live and work after 65?

Can a working retirement scenario be enjoyable for seniors? Is there a true balance that can be achieved? Why do people suggest that retirement is the "end-all" to a life well lived? Must it be all about the money when we decide to retire?

Questions, questions and more questions. How about some answers please?

Retirement, in my opinion, should not be the ultimate goal in life. Hey, I’m all for sleeping, eating, waking up when I want, ‘lolly-gagging’ around with my hobbies, reading, taking time to see the grandkids, play golf and travel, but have our preconceptions of retirement caused most people to fear growing older because they actually fear retiring?

I essentially like working. I enjoy my job and the people I work with, and there is so much more I would still like to experience and learn about.

I’m just saying that retirement should be a personal choice, not something dictated by age. If a person wants to be working at 80, so be it. Some people enjoy being busy — that IS their hobby. They enjoy keeping themselves mentally and physically agile.

Retirement should be a conscious choice, and one you make for your own reasons.

It’s a known fact that people today are living longer. Only you should dictate your retirement age. Quite frankly, I’ve seen colleagues that are worn out and debilitated at 45, and 80 year olds anxious to be involved because they are still fit, healthy and sharp.

It is almost impossible to come up with a retirement
formula that fits everyone, which is why retirement needs to be flexible and not forced. Remember, working does not mean you have to put in 60 plus hours a week in a stress-loaded job. Leave that for those in their 20s.

Why working past 65 can be good (and pleasant)

Social Interaction: Daily contact with others is an important part of staying connected. Even if you have a great connection with your spouse or partner, co-worker conversation and sharing of ideas can keep you thinking and involved.

Quite frankly, you may really enjoy your work — it provides challenges, fun, interest and respect. The idea of puttering around 24/7 may not float your boat.

Physical and Mental Activity: While working doesn't always guarantee a stimulating environment, if you have found work that is up your alley, the emotional and physical boost that comes from enjoying what you are doing is a real plus.

Better Health: According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, complete retirement leads to an 11 percent decline in mental health, an eight percent increase in illness and a 23 percent
increase in difficulty performing daily activities over a six-year period.

Continuing to work keeps your mind sharp, your joints flexible, and your muscles limber.

Work May Help Your Relationship: Couples often think about their retirement years in terms of finances or travel, and often neglect to consider their new, constant togetherness. Think about this: constant togetherness magnifies any existing problems your relationship may have.

Work Provides Structure: I, for one, am not too disposed to structure. I love autonomy, but many persons need structured time and find that  without any working structure, chaos becomes inevitable. Minutes, hours or whole days seem to vanish without any accomplishment of tasks, and even social activities are forgotten. Having a job, even a part time one, can establish structure — an obligation to be somewhere, doing something
productive.

Sharing Knowledge and Experience: Work gives you an opportunity to share skills and knowledge. Volunteering can be included as work, and is also a valid way to put your skills to
good use.

Think Opportunity: You can teach, you can turn a hobby into a business, you can consult or you can try out a whole new career path.

Working after 65 doesn’t mean you have to continue doing what you’ve always done. Work/life balance IS important, and unfortunately America has always stunk at it. Act each day like there is no tomorrow and foster and create your own retirement ideal. Don't let today’s struggles defeat you.

Retirement Doesn’t Signal The End: Make retirement a new beginning. Don’t get backed into the corner of thinking that retirement is just about waiting to die. It can be the greatest time of your life if you make conscious plans for it. Make it eventful by continuing to
make contributions to better yourself, others, society or a company. It’s about doing what you find appealing.

Use retirement as the opportunity to make your life exactly what you want it to be.