In September 2024, shortly before I retired for the first time, I started Secrets to a Satisfying Retirement, an online group for Front Porch to help others to navigate the transition to retirement. I hoped to attract others at the same stage as me, getting ready to retire or recently retired. Not yet retired myself, I didn’t consider myself an expert on this topic, but I hoped others would offer their own tips.
Now almost a year and a half later, here’s what I’ve learned:
- Most of us who have retired have had different experiences and are seeking different things. What works for one person may or may not be right for someone else.
- It’s usually easier if you can retire at a time of your choice and has given some thought about what you might want to do before you actually stop working.
- It is better to gradually move from full time work to retirement. I was very lucky to have landed a part/time job from May 2025 to March 2026 so I could get used to planning how to spend my free time.
- Don’t wait to do the things you want to do during retirement. At last week’s session, I discussed Your 12 Good Years, which suggests that if we wait too long, our health may decline and we won’t be able to do what we hoped.
- Your days during retirement won’t look like your work schedule used to be, where you were busy throughout the day. I’ve found that planning a few activities each day, in person and or online, is enough.
- While there’s no guarantee that we’ll have a long, healthy life, we can improve the chances if we keep active and eat well. For me, I walk daily, swim at least a few times weekly, and keep a mostly fish / vegetarian diet.
- It’s important to stay connected to other people. I’ve developed wonderful friendships with others I’ve met at different stages of my life. I’m usually the one that reaches out, but almost always the other person appreciates that I’ve made the effort to keep in touch.
- Volunteering has been part of my life for many years before I retired, and it continues to be helpful in filling my days with meaningful activities. Most of my work involves helping other older adults. My longest stint as been as host of sessions for the Virtual Senior Center, an online program built by SelfHelp. For the last five years, I’ve hosted an online group, Good Morning on GetSetUp, and have formed many new friendships.
- Include people of all ages in your life, not just other older adults. You can find many intergenerational (and other) programs offered by DOROT.
So there’s no ‘secret’ about retirement that will work for everyone. But if you apply these tips, you may find that this time of life can be so much more than you expected.