Staying Healthy, Active and Engaged in Retirement

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Staying Healthy, Active and Engaged in Retirement

What makes a happy retirement today is often what made happy retirements in the past. Of course, retirements in the past were only for those of means; the rest of us continued working until we got sick or died. Retirement as we now know it is a modern phenomenon made possible by retirement accounts. The government has helped by offering tax deferral of contributions and/or earnings on these accounts. Whether the money lasts throughout your retirement depends partly on how much you’ve got available to you and how well you manage it.

An active, healthy retirement is a good thing because the retiree cuts down on healthcare expenses and contributes to society. And that translates into living longer, which strains one’s finances. Add to that the fact that many workplaces are trimming or eliminating coverage for their future retirees, and this puts more and more responsibility on the retiree’s shoulders.

A lot of people limit their retirement planning to finances without thinking about how they will fill all that available time, expecting things to magically fall into place. But things don’t.

Have hobbies and interests before you retire

This is important because few people manage to develop new interests after they’ve stopped working. Cultivate your interests well before that so you do not end up watching TV all day long and becoming disappointed with yourself … and racking up big medical bills due to a sedentary lifestyle.

Work part-time

A part-time job can ease you into retirement and keep you busy. It also addresses financial issues. If you know before you retire what your financial situation is going to look like in your later years, that will make the need for part-time work less of a jolt.

Start a business

Retirement might be the perfect time to start a business you’ve always wanted to start. You’re older, you’re wiser, you have more connections, and you probably know what works and what doesn’t work. If you’ve got a hobby or a longstanding interest, that may translate into a business. Just make sure that your finances can support whatever risk and expense you are taking on.

Volunteer

The retired gain a lot from volunteering. It keeps their minds and bodies in shape, it extends their social network, and it gives meaning to their lives. It also keeps their job skills sharp and their days occupied. If you plan to volunteer, it is important to know well in advance what types of work you would like to do so that you do not spend your elder years floundering in search of what you might like.

Stay curious

A curious, questioning mind stays in good shape, and that reduces your risk of dementia and financial stress. If you find it difficult to keep an interest in challenging pursuits, consider pursuing them with a network of friends. That can add meaning to your pursuits.

Have a good social network

Humans are social animals, and sociality is good for your health, which makes it also good for your money. A great thing about a good social network is that it animates all your other pursuits in retirement—work, volunteering, exercise, travel, hobbies, and more.

Active, healthy retirees not only save money and enjoy good health, but also stand a good chance of facing the final years of their lives with acceptance.