Retirement shouldn’t be viewed as the end of a working career but rather as the start of the next phase of life.
That’s the perspective of Deborah Bromley, CEO of Nanaimo-based ETHOS Career Management Group.
“For many people, the transition to retirement is no longer a predictable process at age 65,” she said.
Career, life and financial events can all trigger the decision to retire.
There is no ‘one path’ that fits all situations. And retirement is more than just financial planning.
Money is important, since this life phase can last 30 or more years for some people. But Bromley said it’s just one piece of the puzzle.
She advocates personal retirement lifestyle plans – plans that incorporate career and work, physical health and wellness, family and relationships, mental health and social well-being, and personal development.
Retirement can include more leisure time with friends and family, to hobbies and travel, to being financially secure enough to be able to choose whether to work or not.
Those thinking of retirement, or in the early stages of retirement, need to have clear goals and a positive attitude toward the future. They also need to take a healthy approach to mental and physical aging, nourishing both the brain and the body.
Retirees also need to have a balanced approach to leisure. When you’re employed, leisure time is treasured as there never seems to be enough of it.
In retirement, leisure can lose its appeal if it becomes the norm. The key is to find the balance between keeping active and enjoying ‘down time’.