Monday, October 06, 2014

Most people who retire in their sixties today can expect to live another 20-30 years. For many, these so-called ‘golden years’ should be a time to seek out new adventures.
 

“This is not your father’s retirement,” noted former publishing executive Tom Sightings. Sightings should know. The once-U.S. News & World Report editor eased into retirement in his fifties. “But a happy retirement doesn’t happen by itself.”
 

Sightings, who writes a blog he calls ‘Sightings at 60,’ offers what he calls the Four R’s – a short list of four things pre-retirees need to think about before they seriously consider retiring:

Resources – Nearly a quarter of American retirees live almost exclusively on Social Security benefits. For most of us, it isn’t nearly enough. In the decade before retirement, if you haven’t done so already, you need to take a hard look at where you stand financially. Put yourself on a plan to pay off debt – especially credit card debt – and seriously increase savings.

Reset – Too many retirees spend their last years living the same life they did when they were working. The years slip by when nothing new to show for them. If you prefer to retire by design, not by default, think about what you would like to change; learn how to paint or play the piano…journey overseas….open a craft shop. If it’s an idea that has appealed to you for years, retirement can be the time to make it happen.

Reason – Many retirees figure they gave what they had to give all the years they were working. But the truth is, most have more to give. Whether it’s volunteer work, working part-time for pay, or helping to raise – and really know – your grandkids, try to  retire with projects in mind you can hardly wait to get off the launching pad.

Relationships – One danger that comes with getting older is the loss of long-time friends, whether they move to the Sun Belt or to be near the kids, get sick, or develop new interests. But experts point out that an active social life is a major key to longevity. Join a club. Invite someone new for dinner. Get out there and meet some new friends.

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