What is your after retirement plan?

[Old Salt]

I have health issues and have really never worked since the kids were small. I guess you could say I’ve been retired since then. But everyone who knows me would laugh. I volunteered my time, ended up homeschooling kids and, later, after the kids left home, decided to become an artist.

I hate travel. I mean, I love seeing friends and relatives. It’s the getting there and coming back I hate. I find it boring. I also find it majorly annoying that I’m expected to plan our trips on the fly. “Sorry, no, Cape Breton won’t have an available room two days before our July flight.” Car rental? One week before we leave? Not likely! I’ve put down my foot and refused to plan any more trips. It’s too stressful for me.

I spend my time in my garden and working art stuff, which I love…can hardly call it work.

Hey, it's good to see a fellow Nova Scotian! I lived in Halifax-Dartmouth most of my life! I could tell a hair raising story about our (my wife and I) trip to Cape Breton back in the sixties, but can't because it would be off topic! In any case, a belated welcome since you have been with us since January!

 

[bowmore]

Wow that’s an average of 5 trips a year. I would be too tired to do anything else if I traveled that much). Once a year is enough for me.

17 of those were cruises, so more relaxing. Also some of the trips were back to back, so we would only need one round trip flight.

 

[MikeR]

I retired at 65 and couldn't stand the thought of doing nothing or "travel" so I found a horse rescue that needed volunteers and after all these years I'm still there. I'm 83 and can clean a stall with the best of them. Our horses come from the race tracks when they are injured and can't run or they simply don't win enough to earn their keep. We rehab them then retrain them and adopt them out to their forever homes. I love it. Horses keep you young and on the move. It's not for the faint hearted because they do keep you on your toes but it's my world and I wouldn't have it any other way.

This is a beautiful example of finding a purpose and passion after you retire. There are thousands of options, but everyone has their own values and things that are important to them. I'll be retiring next year, and I hope to find my "horse rescue" that gives my life purpose for the next 20 years.

 

[Quackers]

I've never planned anything, I've always gone with the flow, so never thought about what I'd do when I retired.
In the end when I did retire I was lost. So I got into volunteering, which I'd done previously when younger and I enjoyed it.
It's only recently I've taken time out from volunteering at a hospice, hospital, Social Services
and a charity.
Not sure just yet if I'll stick to it's 'Me Time' now or if I'll do some diferent volunteering like with the Nation Trust or Canal River Trust. But not sure physically if I can do that.
I'll codgitate in the meantime and just enjoy my Me Time.

 

[Quackers]

Sorry I made a mess here while trying to edit a mistake in my post above I quoted my own post. Don't know how to delete this one so ignore this post

 

[BC Flash]

Decided to retire early and to travel while I had my health. It was always ''BUDGET TRAVEL" (aka house and pet exchanges). Exchanged with other seniors - Australians (6 months), New Zealanders (2 months) and numerous exchanges in California. When we couldn't arrange an exchange, friends from the colder provinces would visit for free accommodation in exchange to dog sit.

 

[LisaThompson]

It seems to me that the people that stay busy when retired are happier and live longer. By staying busy, I do not mean work alcoholics that don't know how to stop. I mean busy doing things at a slower pace, more natural pace and especially doing things that you like and enjoy doing. To many growing plants and flowers in gardens is very enjoyable. Others volunteer for good causes. Many find that they finally have the time to catch up on all the reading that they always wanted but never seemed to have the time. Many choose to travel but that eventually tires you out. Keeping fit and eating healthy appeals to many other seniors.

Unfortunately, it is the seniors that do nothing and have no idea of what to do when they retire that end up with the highest disappointments with their retirement years. Also, these are the folks that end up with the most health problems and often the shortest retirement.

I agree, people who stay busy certainly are happier. Even if they remain at a p/t job they enjoy. I think depression can easily set in realizing the runway is much shorter and health issues creep in.

 

[Packerjohn]

My after retirement plan is "pushing daisies up" I'm sorry to say!

 

[Manatee]

I am amazed at how much time I spend on this computer. I do find other things to do, but nothing memorable. At 89 I am not bursting with energy. My wife passed last December, I do miss her, we were married 63 years.

 

[garyt1957]

I planned on traveling and moving south. But my Dad is still kicking at 99 so I can't go away for winter and I don't like being gone for more than 4 days so we do some short trips.
I play basketball 3x a week, golf 3x a week in season, take my Dad to the casino 3x a week, so I stay busy.
I've actually lost the desire to travel but my wife still wants to go so we will.when we're able

 

[Cyclist]

Retirement plan is to ride the E-bike to keep in shape. Take a weekend trip to the ocean. Work p/t for as long as possible.
Be active in church, bible study and volunteer. I'd like to be 50% self sustaining regarding food so less worries regarding the next pandemic.