Steps to Avoid Boredom in Retirement

Most of the workforce has dreamed at one point or another of retirement, perhaps even an early “freedom 55” plan for their golden years, but with a growing number of seniors living long past traditional retirement age,  can leaving work too early lead to boredom?

According to research sponsored by Sun Life Financial, just under 20 per cent of retirees between 55 and 65 report that their retirement is boring and they are less intellectually stimulated than when they were working.   Boredom, as well as the need for extra income, is often why so many older adults return to the workforce, at least part-time, after retiring from a job that built their career, paid for a home, provided for family and hopefully them helped achieve financial stability.

If you are planning for retirement in the not-too-distant future there are a number of steps you can take to ensure retirement will be everything you hoped.

  1. Take care of your health now so you will be able to enjoy an active retirement.
  2. Save and invest for retirement as early as possible.
  3. Curb spending and learn to live within your budget; plan ahead how to fund travel or other retirement plans.
  4. Get you documents in order; write a will, plan your funeral, appoint a trustee, make end-of-life wishes clear to family.
  5. Make a point of developing hobbies that will keep you busy in retirement
  6. Take time to fully review and understand your pension or work retirement savings plan.

Source:  2016 Retirement Now Report

Too often the demands of work and family life leave middle-agers with little time to pursue their own hobbies but it’s important to keep your own interests and nurture friendships that will sustain you later in life when the kids are grown and the nest is empty.   We have to remind ourselves as caregivers or providers to take time for ourselves and develop or maintain our own interests.   Keeping physically active, mentally stimulated and financially responsible is a recipe for a fulfilling retirement.