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Living Retirement Guide

Living well in retirement is a goal that all citizens of the world hope for, and is a product of two important concepts: prioritization and implementation of those priorities. A living retirement guide for the 21st century is quite different from that of our parents or grandparents. When social security was initiated in the 1930’s as an intended supplement for retirement, the average life span was considerably lower than it is today, and today the average American is not only living longer but also, in general, is living better. Another major issue for most pre-retirees is that they are not going to receive guaranteed long-term benefit packages from their employment as they have in the past two generations, therefore making it necessary for them to establish their own retirement funds or investments and plan for their own long term security. A well thought out living retirement guide is a must.

Living longer is a product of good genes and healthy living. It also encompasses keeping active mentally, spiritually, and socially. Being involved with your community, family, and friends are a few of the things that can extend healthy living. Others include mentoring and furthering ones education with incorporation of new ideas as a basis of your living retirement guide.

Prioritization of your goals in retirement is essential for a functional living retirement guide. The most important thing to look at initially is whether or not you can fully retire or really want to, and can you live in the life style that you have chosen for yourself for two or three decades. As an example of prioritization, one might want to include the following to their living retirement guide:
  1. Can I retire, and when? How do I want to live on a day-to-day basis?

  2. Have I really planned for retirement? Will I have to work part time or consult in my retirement to supplement my retirement income? Approximately 25% of Americans do so now and that figure will probably increase in the future.

  3. How do I fit in the leisure activities that I like to do versus the routine things that have to be done?

  4. Have I made plans to include a family and social life? Is it important where I live in relationship to family and friends? As an example, many retirees in Florida who moved from the Northeast have now relocated to states such as North and South Carolina to be closer to their family and friends. They are often called “half-backers” or “betweeners.”

  5. Do I want to take the time to explore new opportunities for supplementing my income which is open-ended such as network marketing?

  6. Above all, am I physically and mentally fit enough to retire and enjoy the things I plan to do, and do I have a plan to remain active and healthy?
Implementation of your priorities is the second and equally important part of your living retirement guide. For example, if someone is in a profession that allows him/her to work indefinitely, one may choose to do so within the limits of their health and professional expertise, and their desire to gradually transition into retirement at a later date. Delaying full retirement is becoming more important and necessary in an increasing number of Americans and is certainly affecting working demographics now. It’s never too late to pursue new ways to supplement your income, but planning ahead and investing intelligently is the wisest way to do so. The enjoyment of your retirement not only depends on what you desire but also how you are going to be able to finance that life style. Consider all your priorities and the early implementation of them when creating your living retirement guide.

A site I like: About.com Click on the Senior Living column of Sharon O’Brian.

Ruth Ann Hall is a mother, grandmother, and nearing retirement age. She was raised on a farm in west central Illinois, but calls Chicago home.

Her personal website: RookieMarketing.com is about her association with Ann Sieg Consulting and using the “consultative approach to marketing.” More information? Yes! Click Here.

Her latest project, this website, is intended to provide information for those looking to make a good decision on working from home.