Emotional Issues in Retirement
A Major Life Change
· Retirement is Much More than Money
· Retirement is a Major Change in Your Schedule
o No more set time to be at work
o No more daily relationships at work
o Many retiree’s find it takes 6 months to adjust to a new schedule
o Many retiree’s find it takes 2 years to adjust to retirement
· New Routines, Rituals, Structures are Helpful for Transition
o Set time for lunch and dinner
o Home chores on a schedule
o Exercise on a schedule
o Lunch with a friend, weekly
o Volunteering
o Writing
o Hobbies
o Grandchildren
o Working part time
o Medical appointments take a lot of time
o Retired man had no time to read
o The library is my new office
§ Starbucks is my new office
§ Barnes & Noble is my new office
· Married Indifference
o Common when partners have focused on children
o Common when partners have focused on career
o After years of limited time together, some partners feel a form of cabin fever
o Invest in your marriage
o Go to your “new office” every day
· Brainstorming or Free Association
o What are your concerns about money?
o What are your health concerns?
o What are your hopes and desires?
o What would bring you satisfaction in retirement?
· Almost All Retiree’s do not Have the Money to Leave the Legacy of a Building or College Named After Them
o Family stories; life lessons for grandchildren
o This I Believe (TIB’s)
o Written or video
· After Meetings; don’t hesitate to call Retirement Specialists with additional questions. We often come up with questions, concerns after we leave a meeting.