The change in lifestyle when you retire is not easy. You have to prepare for it mentally and financially. This was the view of Dr Kobie Taljaard, at the recent Personal Finance/TMA Investment Product Services Truth about Retirement seminars. Bruce Cameron reports.
Retirement is not the end of a lifetime. It is a move from one phase of life to another or put another way you are not retiring "from" something but "to" something.
This is the view of Dr Kobie Taljaard, psychologist and director of human resources at the Cape Technikon, who received top approval ratings at the recent Personal Finance/TMA Investment Products Services recent Truth about Retirement seminars.
Taljaard warns however that the change in lifestyle is not easy and you have to prepare for it both mentally and financially. "The mental preparation is as important as the financial preparation."
Taljaard says that fear of retirement is a result of stereotyping, depicting retirement as a terminal event. It should rather be seen as a transfer from one set of tasks to another. But it does require dynamic change, with you taking responsibility for the success of your retirement years.
Preparing for retirement requires a multi-faceted plan ranging from planning the significant increase in leisure time to paying attention to your health.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH
It is inevitable that you will develop aches and pains as you grow older but if you pay attention to your lifestyle this will mainly be manageable.
Taljaard says there are a number of facets important to your physical and mental health. These include:
* Exercise. You need exercise regularly. This does not mean you have to run marathons but you need to get at least 30 minutes of exercise three times a week. This can be anything from a brisk walk to swimming;
* Diet. You must eat and drink sensibly, keeping your weight in check;
* Give up smoking;
* Medical care. Go for regular medical check ups to ensure that any problem is found early;
* Guard against depression. Most people suffer from depression in various degrees when they retire. Most people come out of the depression of their own accord but you may need help. If you need help you should not be afraid to seek it. Depression can lead to damage to relationships, including a breakdown of marriage, if not addressed;
* Stress. You must manage your stress, with high stress contributing to ill health;
* Self-worth. Most people have to redefine their sense of self worth. If everything you do is associated with your job you will have a problem in retirement.
You need to realise that your self-worth is not dictated by what you do or did before retirement. Your self-worth is not tied to performance. You will, among other things, have to develop new relationships and interests;
* Make peace with yourself: You have to accept yourself for what you are. You cannot change your past life. You now have to live with your past successes and failures;
* Remain intellectually active. Keep in contact with the world. Be aware of what is going on around you. Have intellectual interests; and
* Spiritual life. You should review your spiritual life and accept a relationship with your creator.
THINK POSITIVELY
Taljaard says retirement is a painful experience for most people but you should concentrate on the future. Thinking positively has a number of facets, which include:
* You are what you think you are. If you are confident about yourself life will be easier;
* Don't complain. If you complain about everything "life becomes a very dark affair". Among other things if you are a perpetual complainer you will find it drives people away from you;
* Don't dwell on the past and what you could have done better;
* Formulate new goals; and
* Express yourself positively seeing each new day as a challenge.
REMAIN FLEXIBLE
Taljaard says many people, as they grow older, become increasingly intolerant of change which can be a problem. You need to:
* Guard against rigidity. Don't stick to anything whatever may happen;
* Plan your life but avoid routine;
* Retain contact with your world;
* Seek new challenges;
* Look for humour;
* Help others; and
* Stay neat and don't let yourself become slovenly in both your appearance and your habits.
INVEST IN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS
Taljaard says that your relationship, particularly with your spouse, becomes increasingly important after retirement. Your relationship with your spouse can become stressful because you are suddenly spending most of your days together.
You will find that retirement is like getting married again. You will need goodwill and good communication to work out any difficulties.
You will need to be pro-active and discuss your expectations and needs and if necessary you should seek professional help.
You also need to adjust to the inevitable changes that retirement brings.
DEVELOP OTHER SUPPORT SYSTEMS
Taljaard says you not only depend on your family in retirement but should expand your circle of friends. This can be done by getting involved in your community, for example by doing voluntary work or joining interest clubs.
VOLUNTARY WORK
Taljaard says many people shy away from doing voluntary work as they are afraid of becoming too involved. But voluntary work can be "immensely rewarding and can make you new friends".
Retired people have built up a lifetime of skills that could be appreciated and used in many areas.
However, you need to establish a number of issues before volunteering to ensure that you will be happy in the work you do. These issues include:
* Establishing which organisations require volunteers and which interest you;
* What sort of work is involved and will it interest you;
* Who you will work with and whether you will get on with the people;
* What will be expected of you;
* When will you be needed and for how long; and
* Will your expenses be paid.
EMPLOYMENT AFTER RETIREMENT
Taljaard says there is no reason why you should not seek paid employment after retirement but you must be realistic about why you are taking a new job. Factors you need to take into account include:
* The reason. For example is it because you need the income or because you do not want to become bored?
* Your skills. Make a list of the skills you have as you may find that many other jobs will open up to you;
* Investigate. Talk to people who could help you in making a choice; and
* New skills. Don't be afraid to spend a year or two developing new skills if you want to do something else or brushing up on your existing skills before setting out to get a post-retirement job.
LIVING ARRANGEMENTS
There can be many reasons for changing your current home in retirement.
Any change and move should be considered very carefully and you should not make any hasty decisions.
Issues to take into consideration include:
* Priorities. For example do you want to live at the coast or in a retirement village; or nearer your children.
You should be careful of removing yourself from your environment where you have family, friends and a support system;
* Make joint decisions. You should compare questions and answers with your spouse; and
* Find a happy compromise between the various demands and considerations.
LEISURE TIME
Taljaard says you will have more leisure time to develop existing and new interests. It is important that you use leisure time to "join in and enjoy what life has to offer".