Why you should find purpose in your life after retiring

Those who succeed in retirement are those who obviously know what they are retiring from, but more importantly know that what they are retiring to. Have a clear picture of what retirement looks like for you, how you will engage your skills and resources and how you will stay challenged.

For many robust retirees, retirement is an artificial finish line that they will never cross.

Financial considerations are one part of retirement planning. However moving from full time employment to a new life in retirement is a significant life transition for most of us. Sadly few of us are prepared for the emotional upheaval that follows. Making the transition from full time employment in a busy career to a new life in retirement can be quite an emotional and stressful experience.

For many of us, our career of choice is a significant focus in our lives. We spend a great deal of time at work, and we form meaningful professional and personal relationships along the way and often develop new friendships with people we may otherwise not have met. There’s also the daily interaction with colleagues and associates as well as the camaraderie that follows from working on shared projects and team goals.

It’s not uncommon to feel a sense of loss or grief when these personal and professional connections are removed from your social experience. For this reason, I often advise clients who are contemplating retirement to consider reducing their hours of employment rather than leaving work completely. This can also help with the transition to retirement financially, as well as in terms of lifestyle.

Rather than leaving your job permanently, perhaps approach your employer to see whether you can reduce your hours by one or two days a week. This allows you to explore new hobbies and activities outside of the working environment while still receiving a source of income. Being open with your employer regarding your plans also helps your employer to plan ahead for the day when you finally decide to relinquish your role altogether.

Retirement isn’t always about building the largest pot of money, it is about reaping the benefits of decades of hard work and planning for the lifestyle you imagine in the years ahead. For this reason, I encourage you to consider, when you’re thinking about retiring, make sure that you are retiring to something rather than simply from something.

Authorised Representative (ASIC No.263557). The Retirement Advice Centre is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Millennium3 Financial Services Pty Ltd ABN 61 094 529 987. Australian Financial Services Licensee Number 244252. Unit 7, 50 Borthwick Avenue Murarrie Qld 4172

The information contained in this document is general in nature and may not be relevant to your individual circumstances. You should refrain from doing anything in reliance on this information without first obtaining suitable professional advice. The views expressed in this publication are solely those of the author; they are not reflective or indicative of Millennium3 Financial Service’s position, and are not to be attributed to Millennium3. They cannot be reproduced in any form without the express written consent of the author.