Retirement – it’s not ALL about your finances

12/02/2021

Whenever we talk about retirement, the focus tends to be on pensions, with an assumption that everything will fall into place, providing there is enough in your pension pot when you retire.

Preparing emotionally

Many retirees simply aren’t prepared for how significantly their life will change, and many, while not missing work, will certainly miss the sense of purpose that comes with the organisational structure to which they have become accustomed. Suddenly stopping work after spending a lifetime focused on your career could be the catalyst for depression and other mental health issues. That’s why it’s important to prepare ahead to become mentally ready for retirement.

Visualise your retired self

You are likely to still want the same things in life: a sense of purpose, social interaction and activities that interest and stimulate you. Consider these tips to help prepare for a fulfilling retirement:

Wind down in stages – instead of going from full-time to retired overnight, you could try a gradual retirement to keep the fulfilment of work combined with the free time to pursue other interests

Exercise – we all know the benefits of exercise for our physical and mental health. Getting into the habit could help your emotional state when you retire

Review your interests – in addition to solitary hobbies and interests, joining groups and clubs can help you develop new social networks

Get your finances in order – while preparing emotionally is a big part of retirement, you need money to allow you to live life to the fullest.

Sorting out the finances

This is where we can help, so that you can rest assured you have the resources to spend your retirement free from money worries, allowing you to enjoy your later years.