I retired in 2006, almost 19 years ago. I worked on and off for another
8 years for pay but stopped working for pay in 2014, so this is my 10th year
in full Retirement. It’s worth considering that your retirement may last far
longer than your job. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of
January 2020, the average number of years an employee stayed in their role was
4.1 years. Retirement is when you choose what you do with your time and enjoy yourself. Getting
yourself ready for retirement and transitioning into that stage of life slowly
is crucial so that you can feel in charge and act when the time feels right for
you. However, the reality is that you don’t always get to choose when you
retire. Many people, like my wife, were sort of pushed into it, and I went
along for the ride.

A recent survey out of Australia showed that about 33% of retirees
retired by choice. About 28% of retirees had to leave work because of health
problems, and 7% had to retire because their partner was dealing with health
issues, which was the situation my wife and I faced. Another 11% retired when
they got laid off, 4% felt they weren’t wanted at work anymore, and
another 18% had different reasons for retiring.

So, why does this matter? Well, it means planning for retirement by
choice isn’t something you should put off. You have to start thinking and planning early, knowing you have a plan but also recognizing that
things might not all go according to that plan.

What steps can you take if you’re worried about being forced to retire
early? Here are some sensible steps to consider: 

1.     Start saving and Investing
early in retirement accounts.

2.     Develop multiple income
streams for financial security.

3.     Consider healthcare costs
and insurance options.

4.     Create a budget and stick to
it to manage expenses.

5.     Stay informed about
retirement benefits and options from your employer or government.

6.     Continuously reassess your
retirement goals and adjust your plan accordingly.

7.     Stay active physically,
mentally, and socially for a fulfilling retirement Lifestyle.

8.     Plan for unexpected expenses
or emergencies with an emergency fund.

9.     Seek professional financial
advice to optimize your retirement plan.

10.   Stay flexible and adaptable
to changes in your retirement circumstances.

By following these steps, you can better prepare yourself for
retirement, whether it comes by choice or necessity, and ensure a more secure
and fulfilling future.

Originally Published on https://boomersnotsenior.blogspot.com/

Royce Shook Blogger

I served as a teacher, a teacher on Call, a Department Head, a District Curriculum, Specialist, a Program Coordinator, and a Provincial Curriculum Coordinator over a forty year career. In addition, I was the Department Head for Curriculum and Instruction, as well as a professor both online and in person at the University of Phoenix (Canada) from 2000-2010.

I also worked with Special Needs students. I gave workshops on curriculum development and staff training before I fully retired