Retire to What?!? It's Time to Design Your Dream Retirement

Remember being the youngest one in every team you joined? You'd glance around,
feeling like the newbie, only to wake up one day and find yourself as the oldest in the
group. Time sure does some somersaults, doesn't it? A coworker and I were mulling
over this oddity during a coffee break, and she shared a story about her great aunt.
Even in her late 80s, her great aunt felt just as spry as she did in her youth, often
surprised by the aged reflection staring back at her. This anecdote got me thinking –
how does our enduring inner youthfulness shape our perception of retirement?
For the longest time, retirement seemed like a vague, distant concept. We knew we had
to financially prepare for it, but it was so shrouded in uncertainty that it was easy to think
there was plenty of time. Fast forward, and suddenly you're there, staring at the mirror,
pondering all the 'should haves':

• "I should have saved more."
• "I should have looked for a better job."
• "Maybe I should've invested in real estate." 
• "I should have..."

But let's be real: unless you've got a hidden time machine, there's no going back. As the
old wisdom goes, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, and the second-best
time is today. Concerned about your financial wellness? A chat with a financial advisor
is a good place to start. Once that's sorted, pause for a moment, take a deep breath,
and ask yourself what you truly want for the next phase of your life.
 

Retirement Then and Now:

Gone are the days of the traditional 'learn, work, retire' cycle. In 1950, the average
American lifespan was about 68 years. Fast forward to 2000, and we're looking at an
average lifespan of 76.9 years. In 2021, it's a bit lower at 76.4 years, but still, that's a lot
of extra time! For someone retiring between 62 and 67, that's quite a few years of
potentially fruitful life with little to no solid plan on how to fill them. And believe it or not,
most Americans end up spending a whopping 47 hours a week watching TV! If lounging
and binge-watching is your jam, that's cool – provided you've saved enough for that
lifestyle. But if that's not your cup of tea and you're more inclined towards an
emotionally and physically fulfilling retirement, it's time to start thinking and planning
now.

Rethinking Retirement Planning:

It's about taking stock of what you cherish now and envisioning how it can shape your
future. Life is full of surprises and adjustments, so flexibility is key. By being attuned to
what genuinely energizes you, you open doors to a retirement filled with possibilities
and purpose. Imagine diving into social activities that offer both connection and a little
extra income. Or, what if your hidden hobby could bloom into a fulfilling business
venture? Maybe mentoring young minds stirs excitement in you, leading to new
adventures in education or travel. Retirement is an opportunity, not an endgame. It's a
chance to pivot towards passions and activities that ignite your enthusiasm and redefine
your days.
Curious to explore what makes your heart tick as you think about retirement as a
transition and not an event? Starting with our simple questionnaire is a great way to
begin unraveling the retirement life that excites and fulfills you. It's the first step towards
understanding what truly brings you joy and how you can incorporate that into a
retirement that's not just about ending a career, but about embracing a new, vibrant
phase of life.