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What Will You Do in Retirement?

When we think of retirement, especially for “other’ people, we think of sipping tea on a swing, cooking for grandchildren, waking up late and, in general, taking it easy. Well, that was another time and place for the most part! Most retirees find themselves busier then when they were working full time.

If you have completed the Retirement Goals Worksheet you should have taken some time to think about this.

Your opportunities and options are huge:

Working: Many retirees do continue to work at least part-time. Some do so for the income, others for the benefits such as health insurance, and still others would be bored without a job to go to! If you want to continue working in your “retirement,” but you need a change, you may want to evaluate how your skills could be used in a new job. Or you may want to try a new career. If you think about it, your new career could last another 10, 20 or even 30 years—why not do something you enjoy?

Learning: Whether it is learning a new language, taking up art or gaining new computer skills, there are many learning opportunities. Community colleges often offer inexpensive courses, as do the Adult Education departments of many larger public school districts. Programs such as Elderhostel, an intergenerational program, (www.Elderhostel.org) have thousands of offerings.

Hobbies: If your hobbies have been neglected because you have been too busy working, now is the time to reengage. Or you can try something new! Keep in mind that some hobbies can get quite expensive, so you will want to keep costs in mind.

Fitness and sports: Research has demonstrated that you can you stay healthier through regular exercise, and are likely to be happier and have a better quality of life as well. Whether it’s tennis, walking, dancing, swimming or yoga, find a way to incorporate regular exercise into your life. It’ll help your mental and physical health.

Travel: You may dream of a trip to Hawaii or Europe, or perhaps you would just like to see more of the United States. Opportunities can include family travel with your children or grandchildren, educational travel, going back to your ancestral homeland, tours organized for spiritual pursuits or even a trip with a volunteer organization. If you don’t have a big budget for travel, find out whether you can hook up with an organization as a tour guide, or check out travel guides focused on budget travel at your local library or online. Discounts for Retirees can be found through your memberships or affiliations (AARP, Retired Military, etc) or on such sites as Travelocity, Expedia and other Retiree travel organizations.

Volunteering: You can be as busy as you want to be in retirement, and volunteer opportunities are one of the reasons why. Schools, government agencies, political, nonprofit and religious organizations are always looking for dedicated volunteers. VolunteerMatch (www.VolunteerMatch.org) and other Web sites can help you find the right niche. If you are really adventurous, consider both volunteering and travel through The Peace Corps, an organization that has stepped up efforts to recruit retirees. (www.peacecorps.org or http://www.usajobs.gov/EI17.asp)

Calculate Some Retirement Numbers!