Boomer Retirement Advice

• Although you no longer have to worry about going to work every day, you can still find many ways to keep yourself busy. Many people think that once they retire, they will be bored because they are used to working every day. However, there are many different activities that you can get involved in once you are retired. Here are five things you should do after you retire:

• 1. Stay involved with competition
  By joining a retirement community, you can get involved in new activities you have never participated in before. Or pick up those you enjoy but haven't had time for. Many people always want to play more golf. When you retire, you can hit the links more than ever, especially by joining a community that is on or near a golf course. Many retirement communities also have tennis courts that you can play on. Try playing bridge, bingo or other sporting activities. Some communities host tournaments, where those who still have their competitive spirit can once again play for that top spot.

• 2. Collect something
  Many seniors pick up a new hobby when retired. Some collect coins, stamps, cards or even cars. Collecting anything, no matter what it is, activates a new passion for something in your life. With the way the internet has evolved, collecting things has become much simpler. Web sites such as eBay offer a wide variation of different stuff for anyone, and it is a very simple interface to use. As many people always say, one person's junk is another person's treasure.

• 3. Learn something new
  Retirement is a great time to learn something new. Take classes about the internet. Or take an online course and learn a particular degree of study that you always wanted to learn. Go back to school and earn that college degree you always wanted. Watch the History Channel, go to the library and find a book or go to the zoo and learn about animals. Knowledge is power, and even the most intelligent people can learn something new everyday. Keep your mind active; an active mind is never bored.

• 4. Adopt a pet
  There are many animals that go unadopted each year. By adopting a pet, you can not only get a new friend, but help an animal in need. Now that you are retired, you can adopt that cat that you have always wanted. Cats make very good pets because they are very independent and low maintenance. Or you can get a new companion in adopting a new dog. However, you should always make sure you have the time, money and sufficient area to have a pet. For more information on adopting a pet, visit The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

• 5. Relax
  You have worked your whole life. Take a long and much needed break from the busy life of work. Go on vacation and visit the islands you have always been wishing to see. Sit on the beach in the shade and take in the nice weather. Go sight-seeing at the Grand Canyon or in Italy. Or just relax with your significant other and a candlelight dinner. Either way, after working all your life, you deserve a break sometime. After all, retirement is the one way ticket to relaxation. Try one of these five things after your retirement. However, five is not nearly enough. There are many other things you can do after your retirement. Try joining special interest groups in your area. Go sight-seeing. Take a train ride across the country. For the daredevil types, bungee jump or sky dive. Volunteer at a shelter, church or for a political campaign. Go to the movies. Retirement doesn't have to mean sitting around the house all day. With so many opportunities to stay active, retirement can actually be all it's cracked up to be.
• About the author: M.J. Joseph is a freelance writer from Kansas City, MO

• People are retiring earlier. The average age for a first retirement is 57.5 years. According to the latest statistics, if you are in good health now, you are probably going to live another 30-40 years. If you are like most people, you planned for previous stages in your life. Retirement is no exception.

• What are the six major issues you need to be considering before you retire?
• 1. More than any other age group, Boomers are concerned about having a purpose during their retirement years. A purpose (goal) gives you a sense of meaning which contributes to your overall well-being and happiness. The challenge is to focus on who you are instead of what you do.
• 2. Now is the time to discover the things you feel passionate about, that you find engaging and meaningful. How you choose to spend your retirement years will depend on the choices you are making as you approach this next stage in your life.
• 3. The timing of when you retire can be critical. To determine when you will retire, reflect on who you are (your strengths and values) and what you want during retirement. Your experiences over the years, the knowledge you have gained, and self-awareness you have developed will help you make your decision.
• 4. Financial planning is one of the two main pillars of successful retirement. Because of the changing financial scene, there are three areas for you to consider for your financial plan to be solid: Social Security, employer's pension plans, and your personal savings. Discussing your financial needs with a financial planner is highly recommended.
• 5. Once basic financial needs are met, other issues become more important. Your health is the second pillar of retirement. This is a time to learn more about wellness which includes making yearly physical, dental and eye exams. It also means making good choices about nutrition, managing stress, moderate physical exercise for your body, and mental exercises for your brain.
• 6. Some relationships change during retirement. If you end your career, you no longer have the built-in contacts with people you would see on a daily basis. It is a time to build new relationships and cultivate a deeper relationship with your spouse, children, grandchildren, and other significant people in your life.
• This is a critical time in your life. Planning helps you maximize the unlimited possibilities and fulfill your purpose. Your journey will be unique to you. Make it be all that you hope for.

• After working nearly your entire life, it is finally time to kick back, relax and take advantage of the retired life. So where do you go now? Do you want to continue living in your current home? Do you want to travel the world? Have you considered moving into a retirement community? There are many reasons a lot of seniors are moving into retirement communities rather than staying in the homes they lived in for years. Why? Here are the top five reasons seniors move into a retirement community.

• Maintenance-free living makes life a breeze
  There are many types of retirement communities, and most include maintenance-free living. That means you no longer have to venture out in the hot weather to mow your lawn. If you live in a cooler climate, you will no longer spend winter mornings busting your back to scoop the sidewalk. The maintenance staff hired by your retirement community is ready and able to perform these maintenance tasks for you. Your yard and sidewalks will always look nice, but you won't be doing the demanding work.

• Quick, convenient health care when you need it
  Retirement communities are very good about employing staff with health care experience. Some communities, such as skilled nursing, continuing care, assisted living and Alzheimer's communities, hire nurses for the convenience of their residents. For instance, staff members are on site to help the residents bathe the resident, administer the resident's medication and check blood pressure, pulse rate and other vital signs, making sure that health comes first for their residents.

• Make a new network of new friends
  By joining a retirement community, you join a whole new world of friends. You get to meet new neighbors, who are all retired just like you. There are many activities geared toward helping you to meet many different people in your community.

• Stay plenty busy with different activities
   Although you are retired, there are plenty of things to do. Many active retirement communities have activities, including anything from bingo to golf to tennis. Most retirement communities also host tournaments and other social events for the residents to interact with each other.

• Relax
  Whether it is kicking back by the pool or playing golf in gorgeous summer weather, you will have plenty of time to relax. After all those years of working, you should be able to relax. Many seniors choose to join membership in different associations, such as the National Senior Golf Association. If you want to travel, you can leave whenever you would like, and you won't have to worry about finding someone to mow your lawn, rake your leaves or water your flowers.
• About the author: M.J. Joseph is a freelance writer from Kansas City, MO.

• The baby boomers are reaching retirement age and this has led to the active adult retirement community boom. In an attempt to attract the large numbers of people reaching retirement age, more and more communities are opening and doing so in resort areas around the country. California, Florida, and Arizona are the hot spots for the active adult community industry because of the climate. Although the numbers of communities is constantly increasing, it is not keeping ahead of the number of people reaching retirement age. This has increased the need for early retirement planning.

• It has always been wise to carefully plan for retirement. What has changed is that more than just financial considerations now need to be factored into the planning process. There are many people who prefer to spend their retirement in the same location and even the same home where they raised their families and spent their working yeas. As long as they remain healthy, they prefer the nearness of their families and the things with which they are familiar. Other people view retirement as an opportunity to go to the kind of place they have always dreamed of spending their retirement. It may be near the beaches of Florida or in the mild climate of California away from the snow and ice of harsh winters.

• It is going to be necessary to begin planning for this retirement early. You need to develop an idea of what, where, and when. The variety of locations and types of retirement communities will amaze you when you first begin to study the matter. The year and time of retirement should be decided, and you should make your contacts with the home of your choice early. Some homes have waiting lists and most very limited vacancies and so the sooner you being the better chance you will have of getting into the home of your choice.

• The cost is the final consideration of early retirement planning. The best active adult homes are not inexpensive and your must be aware of the costs compared to your expected retirement income. If your retirement planning begins early enough, you have a target for your saving and investment plans. Financial consultants can assist you in taking the steps to insure an adequate investment income. The general rule to remember is that the sooner you begin your retirement planning, the better your retirement is going to be.
• About the author: Natalie Aranda writes about finance and financial planning.

• When deciding on a retirement community for you or a loved one, there are many factors to take into consideration. Where do you want to live? What type of community do you want to live in? How much can you afford? Here are several of the many important questions to ask yourself or your parents when trying to decide on a retirement community.

• 1. Where do you or a loved one want to live?
  Location is the key to beginning a search for a retirement community. Do you want to stay in the same town, city or state that you live in now? Many seniors decide to move to a warmer climate to enjoy their retirement. However, some seniors would rather experience all four seasons or would rather stay in their area. Whatever your choice, deciding what part of the world you want to live in is very important in trying to find a retirement community.

• 2. What type of community do you want to live in?
  There are many different types of communities that are now available for retiring seniors. Try learning more about these communities at Find a Retirement Community's glossary and deciding which is best for you: Active Retirement Communities - Assisted Living Retirement Communities - Independent Living Retirement Communities - Continuing Care Retirement Communities - Alzheimer's Care Communities - Skilled Nursing Care Retirement Communities. After you find what type of community you want to live in, check out the cost. Also, make sure to check accreditation, licensing and the credentials of each prospective community. You want to be living in the best place for you, and need to be extra safe in doing the research for the community.

• 3. How are the local services?
  When searching for a retirement community, look for grocery stores, gas stations, churches, hospitals, salons, pharmacies and different shops to make life easier for when you do move.

• 4. What are some living amenities?
  Many retirement communities offer different types of housing for seniors. Many seniors prefer to choose places with elevators, wide hallways, shower chairs and good lighting that include meal plans and wheelchair accessibility. Some seniors choose to live in a community that offers a very active lifestyle. Many of the active lifestyle communities include golf, tennis and swimming activities, and concentrate on health and fitness to help you enjoy your retirement. Some of these might not apply to you, so just write down the living amenities you prefer to live with, and use that as a frame of reference when looking for a retirement community.

• 5. Is this place safe?
  It is always important to keep safety in mind when looking for any home. Ask the following questions: Is there security personnel on staff at night? Is the retirement community located within the confines of a gated community? How are the locks on the main door? When finding a new place to live, it is nice to get to know what the neighborhood is like before moving so you are not caught off guard a week after you move in.  Be sure to check during different times of the day. Ask could-be neighbors, gas station clerks, staff members or check with the local police department to see if the community is an ideal place for you.

• 6. Is the staff friendly?
  An important aspect of a retirement community is a friendly and helpful staff. Many times people overlook the staff members when deciding on a retirement home. Remember, these people will be a major part of your life! Make a visit to the community and speak with actual staff members. As you walk through the community, observe how staff members and residents interact with each other. You want your retirement to be enjoyable, and it can be a lot more fun if the staff members in your community are easy to interact with. Just as you would tour a house or apartment before buying or renting, you should tour a prospective retirement community to see where you fit in. After all, this is going to be a place where you plan on enjoying your retirement! Be sure it is right for you!
• About the author: M.J. Joseph is a freelance writer from Kansas City, MO. 

• Everybody looks forward to retiring, leaving the work behind us, and then just doing whatever we want. Unfortunately, retirement is not what we thought it would be. It's hard not to do the 9-5 routine, especially after you've done it nearly everyday for 40 or more years. Suddenly, there's no reason to get up in the morning and be somewhere.
• Some retired people give up on their post-retirement plans. They settle down in their easy chairs and just let things slip away. The lack of purposeful activity drains away their energy and their mental acuity. Some become sick and many men die less than five years after they retire. All they had was their work and, with that gone, and they have nothing.
• Life does not have to be that way. When you were working, you stayed sharp and took advantage of your experiences to help you through new challenges. You don't have to give that up when you retire. The key is feeling that you are important and that what you do can make a difference.
• You have accomplished much during your working years and now it's time to pass on what you learned. You can be a mentor to young people by visiting their schools and teaching them the ropes. No matter what you did, you know something they need to know if they want to succeed in your line of work. You can help them overcome obstacles, advise them on how to apply for work, and how to keep a job once you have one.
• Many companies let their senior workers retire and take their skills and experience with them. Employers are finding this to be a mistake. What you have learned needs to be passed on. Some retired workers come back as consultants or part-time employees. They can provide solutions to problems or serve as additional manpower on a project. They can also provide younger workers with the motivation to hang on and keep trying when things seem bleak.
• You don't have to work at enjoying your retirement years. Retirement can be a time to resume old hobbies and start new ones. If your fingers aren't nimble enough to build small scale model airplanes, you can build larger scales where less agility is required. You've already learned the basics, now you have time to hone your skills. Grandma Moses did not start painting until well into her years. You can do the same. Most communities offer low cost or free classes for adult education. Find something you like and go for it.
• Active seniors can help their less active colleagues. They can organize trips, exercise classes, computer classes (it's surprising the number of senior who are interested in this), reading groups, hobby classes, and on and on. The list is endless.
• Scientists have found that a senior who has an active mind and body lives longer than one who doesn't. It is believed that the onset of dementia or Alzheimer's can be delayed when the mind stays active and alert. Seniors who exercise, even moderately, have more enthusiasm for life, including a greater interest in sex.
• Having arthritis does not have to be a major deterrent in a senior's life. Home Jacuzzis and community pools are available to help seniors exercise, reduce strain on joints, and build up muscles. Seniors can visit other seniors at home, in the nursing home or in the hospital. They can help revitalize them by taking an interest in them and encouraging them to get back into life.
• Now you can see, life begins at 65. Do what you said you were going to do when you retired. Stay active and alert to be able to enjoy your twilight years.

 #1: RETIRE TO SOMETHING:

* Leaving your retirement to chance is talking a big risk. Do not expect everything to just fall into place. Be ready for one of the biggest changes in your life. Know you are prepared.

* There seems to be an allure or an attraction about having no schedules, no responsibilities, and no obligation. What this can lead to is a loss of balance and meaning in our lives.

* Use this time to make your dreams come true. This could easily be the longest stage of your life! Live it with passion and abundance!!

#2: STRETCH YOURSELF:

* Stretch and expand yourself in ways you've never done before. There is nothing attractive about being idle.

* Explore your neighborhood in ways you've never done before. Expand this to your town, your state and even the world!

* Read books, go to plays. Learn a language, take a class. Go beyond your past limitations. Seek out activities that bring you pleasure. Try things you never had the wherewith all or the guts to try. Get those creative juices going!

* Don't ever stop learning. People that stop learning can be very boring and who wants to hang around with boring folks? Think of friendships - you now have the time to spend with friends, nurture these relationships...and make new ones. The more varied your friends are the more interesting and thrilling your life can be.

#3: DEVELOP OR ENHANCE HEALTHY HABITS:

* Its has been proven many times that regular exercise keeps us looking and feeling younger. We sleep better. We become sick less often which means less doctors appointments and fewer medical bills.

* It helps enormously to make your exercise fun. Try new activities by yourself or with a friend. What did you like to do years ago? Try it!

* Simply keep moving. Even if you stay active by doing errands, going to social events and visiting family and friends, you are moving. For about $15.00 you can buy yourself a pedometer to count your steps. Each of us should walk 10,000 steps per day. If by the end of the day you haven't done your steps simply take a friend and walk in the moonlight!

* Don't forget to exercise you brain. Read the newspaper, do crossword puzzles, or read a book. While you're doing this thinking, keep it positive. Be an optimist! You'll live longer and be happier and people will just love being around you!

#4: NURTURE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS:

* Your relationship with your spouse may change dramatically if you are used to one or both of you working. Remember the saying: "I married you for better and for worse but not for lunch." This may have too much reality in it!

* Find fun things to do, be patient with each other. Listen more, share more, and help more. Think of all the reasons you married each other in the first place; build on these. Most of all; love each other and be flexible. Flow with the changes. Allow and even encourage each other to grow.

* You may find you now have more time for being with friends. Take advantage of this and try new adventures. Seeking out old friendships is easier than ever with the internet.

* Make new friends and you'll see how your experiences become enhanced at the same time.

* Share yourself, be forgiving of others, and be kind and gentle. The world will become a better place.

#5: LIVE A LIFE OF EMOTIONAL STRENGTH AND OPTIMISM:

* We hear over and over how important it is to take care of our physical health. What we also need to pay as much or more attention to is our emotional health. In a word: or ATTITUDE. It's been proven that centenarians reach that age more so because of how they view and live their life, in spite of less than perfect health.

* Happiness is a choice. Being optimistic is a choice. We don't always have control over events in our lives. What we do have control over is how we respond to them.

* Being a happy, content person is our own responsibility. You may have heard it said that "happiness is an inside job." Believe it! Please do not rely on anyone else to make this happen for you!

* Learn to appreciate what you have and be grateful. Gratitude enriches our lives and leads up down a path to a happier 3rd stage of life.

* We do not need lots amount of money to be content and at peace, but we do need gratitude and appreciation of those things we do have.

#6: LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE:

* Beauty and comfort comes in many shapes and forms. There is no "perfect" except what works for you. Are you attracted to the beach, mountains or desert? Surround yourself with an environment that feeds your soul, which makes you feel alive.

* Do you like the city with lots of activity and culture or do you prefer the solitude of being apart from this? Live in a place that offers you what you need and want. If you're really fortunate, maybe you have 2 homes in different settings!

* Most of us stay where we are or at least close to it. We may stay in our current home or move to something smaller with less care needed as in a patio home, town home or condominium.

* At some point we may need to be in a place where we get the care we need. Hopefully, that can be located near friends and/or family. There are many levels of care depending on our needs.

* Where ever we chose, we need to research it carefully. Be sure it's a place that offers you the comforts and resources that are important to you.

#7: ACHIEVE A STRONG BALANCE IN YOUR FINANCIAL AND LEGAL ARENAS:

* Be very clear about your financial situation. Nothing creates more anxiety than not knowing the status of our money. We must keep in mind that there are many things more important to our happiness than money. That being said, we still need to be able to put a roof over our heads and food on the table. If we plan smartly we can even expect to do more than this.

* This does mean planning ahead; there is no question about that. Over the past years there have been many questions about social security in this country. Whether it will be available to us as baby boomers; or not. To be extra astute we probably need to plan as thought it will NOT be available to us. Then when it is, it will seem like pennies from heaven!

* Keep your legal papers updated and be sure people close to you know how to find them. Be responsible. Let your family know what you desire in case of an emergency. Be knowledgeable about your options in regards to your health. You may desire or need a living will and a legal power of attorney. It's very difficult for loved ones to make judgments about how to handle end of life decisions. We need to make them for ourselves.

#8: LIVE YOUR LIFE USING YOUR FULLEST POTENTIALS:

* Our retirement/renewal experience will be what we choose it to be. If our expectations are that we become looking and feeling old, sitting in our rocker needing continual help from others and basically being dependent and lonely, then that may be exactly what we get.

* Choose to be independent; choose to be happy, free and optimistic in all that crosses your path - people or experiences. You will live a longer, happier and healthier life.

* Choose to be a positive person. See the good in people and the bright side of any given situation.

* Be curious. This is another strength that can keep us young and alive. Its also prevents us from being boring to others and even to ourselves!

* We may have more free time now. We can use this to grow and expand ourselves. Is there something you have always wanted to learn or do? Now's the time! Doing the things we love keeps us engaged in life. Being engaged in life we can live our life to the fullest.

* Along with this is resiliency. Being able to recover from negative experiences that inevitably will occur keeps us on a positive track. Be flexible. Life happens.

#9: DESIGN A PLAN. KEEP A CALENDAR.

* I understand that one of the enticing things about the retirement/renewal stage of our life may be to not have a calendar or day timer, but I strongly suggest that you do.

* We may not want to follow a tight schedule like we may have done pre-retirement but I don't recommend going from all to nothing. If we do, we may be in for a huge surprise. Having nothing to do and nothing planned can backfire on us. It's not uncommon to find ourselves looking into this big void of nothingness - which doesn't work for most of us for very long.

* Prior to leaving our career we may want to make some kind of plan or at least an outline. Don't just assume that everything will simply fall into place. Make a list of things you've always wanted to do but never had the time for. Now is the time! Tennis lessons, golf clinic, watercolors class, anything. Find yourself a partner to join you.

* Make sure you have something to look forward to. Sitting with a good book or fishing all day may be great for awhile but even these delights can get boring and monotonous.

# 10: GET A JOB. VOLUNTEER:

* This may sound crazy. Why would we get a job in retirement? Isn't the whole point of retirement to not work? Well, maybe you only just retire from your long term career type job.

* Is there somewhere you have always wanted to work? Maybe a hardware store or knitting shop? Somewhere where your only responsibility was to show up and enjoy your job? Or maybe you have always wanted to own your own business.

* Who says how many times we can retire? I know people who have retired and then taken up a job for awhile, then retired again. There are no rules. We may work because we need the money or simply for the joy of it. It does get us out of the house, if need be.

* Either way, at this point in our life please try to make it something you have a passion for. Work or volunteer doing what you love. Do something to improve yourself. Something that will make you a better and wiser person.

* * * ENJOY YOUR LIFE.... YOU'VE EARNED IT!!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Kim Kirmmse Toth is a licensed clinical social worker in private practice. In addition, she is a Certified Retirement Life Planning Coach who works with baby boomers who are savvy enough to plan ahead for their retirement years. 

• As the first wave of Baby boomers nears retirement age, they're beginning to realize that unlike their predecessors, they have many options. Here's a look at some of the Baby boomer retirement options this group of mature adults are choosing.
• They're working long past retirement age
  The generations that came before the Baby Boomers retired from the work force at either age 62 or 65 or sometimes 67. They got their pensions and their social security checks and before long they sold their homes and moved in with their adult children where they stayed until their passing. But not today's Baby boomers!
• It's almost like collectively they're saying, "What me, retire?" Instead of closing up shop, they're choosing to remain in the work force, working part time and sometimes full time, sometimes out of necessity, but more often, they're continuing with work that they enjoy. For this group, the Baby boomer retirement option they're choosing is to postpone retirement.
• They're volunteering
  Another popular Baby boomer retirement option is volunteering. Almost in an effort to reverse a lifetime of putting "me-first," Baby boomers are ready to give back. And there's no shortage of ways they're giving back. They're becoming foster grandparents and they're sharing their business experiences with up-and-coming entrepreneurs. They're giving their time to charitable organizations such as the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and the Peace Corps. They're volunteering at schools and hospitals, speaking at college campuses, and they're helping out at senior centers.
• They're making health a priority
  Long gone are the days of 80-hour work weeks, experimenting with mind-altering drugs, overindulging on food, alcohol and nicotine and all those other bad habits that Baby boomers are known for. For many, Baby boomer retirement is a time to make health a priority. Baby boomers are going to the gym, riding bikes, playing tennis and golf, swimming, dancing, hiking, and canoeing. They're basically doing whatever they can (and what they enjoy doing) to keep their bodies moving. They're quitting bad habits and eating nutritious meals and many are living longer as a result.
• They're traveling more
  The senior travel business is definitely booming as it tries to keep pace with another popular Baby boomer retirement option. No longer feeling the need to plan for their children's futures, more Baby boomers are of the opinion that "You can't take it with you!" They're talking about the money they've accrued during their work years and they're certainly having no trouble finding ways to spend it. They're visiting places they never before had a chance to see and they're returning to old favorites. Whether it's a week-end get-away or a 2-month hiatus, alone or with friends or loved ones, Baby boomers are definitely enjoying their travels.
• They're going out with a bang
  If there's one thing you can be certain of, it's that the Baby boomers definitely won't ride quietly into the sunset. Like every other thing they've done in their long lives, the Baby boomer retirement options they choose won't be mainstream!