I’m going to retire and live off my savings. What I’ll do the second
day I have no idea.
Unknown
I find now at the age of 62 the topic of retirement comes up
considerably more frequently than sex and that is indeed a tragedy. There is
nothing sexy about retirement, but there is a certain practicality to these
kinds of discussions among my old fart friends. We’re all concerned about the
dollars and cents of retirement and whether retirement is even an option.
In 1960 the average lifespan of a Canadian was 71 years so
in essence you only had to fund a 6 year retirement. Now the average lifespan
of a Canadian is over 81 years in addition to a growing number of Canadians in
their 90s and 100s. My own family certainly supports the longevity of Canadians.
Both of my grandmothers lived to be over 90. Both of my grandfathers lived to
be over 80. My father lived to be over 80 and my spectacular mother is now 85
and is a perfect candidate to make it to 100 and beyond. Now instead of
figuring out how to fund a 6 year retirement, it’s not inconceivable that many
of us will have to fund a 25 – 35 year retirement. I don’t know about you but
that takes retirement off the table for me.
I remember when the Freedom 55 campaign was launched in the
late ‘80s selling the concept that with the right planning you could retire at
55. My reality is retirement is not in my cards; it’s going to be Freedom in
the Box. Truth be told even if I could afford to retire, I wouldn’t.
I’m quite hyperactive and have never mastered the art of doing nothing. I would
not be able to go through life trying to fill up my days and I love working. What
about you? Are you retired? Planning to retire?
Retirement can be a great joy if you can figure out how to spend time
without spending money.
Author Unknown
Make someone smile today.
Geri
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