Happily Retired

After several decades of being in the workforce, many people look forward to retirement. It is perceived as a time when one can sit back and relax and enjoy the fruit of hard work. If one had planned well, it surely could be the happiest time of life.

Just like in all other aspects of life, planning is important. Herein comes the financial planning part. One has to set aside a part of one's earnings in the form of savings, 401(k), investments, etc. to meet the needs of retirement.

Yes, the financing of one's retirement is a major pointer to the happiness that would follow. Only with the bills taken care of, everyone would agree, can one have a peaceful life.

Whether one follows one's own plan, or goes with the advice of financial planners, a concrete plan needs to be chalked out to see one through the golden years. The planning can distribute resources evenly over months and years, so that one's earnings can cover for the inflation, as well as for the longer years people nowadays live due to better health.

With advancing age, there is a need for companionship, as one's colleagues at work are no longer available to share problems or to have a 'talk'. The presence of a spouse or partner is a big plus at this point. They contribute to sharing, and hence, happiness. The lifelong companionship becomes more important.

Those who have lost their companions due to death or some other reason have a difficult time.

It is inevitable that health issues arise with age. However well one exercises and eats well, age has a way of overtaking everyone. Those who have had very good health lifelong and are well into their nineties may become slow in physical movement, or the way they respond, or their hearing may get impaired, or sight may become faint.

Retirement homes have emerged as a solution to many of the issues retired people face as they age. With the availability of caregivers and some level of medical facilities available in many retirement homes, they have emerged as a viable option for many people.

One of the big advantages of living in a retirement home is the close proximity of peers who understand you. They have similar concerns and issues, and empathy is higher. The events around which people's daily routines revolve, like eating in the dining room, watching television in a common area, or reading in the library, bring inhabitants together. They have the opportunity to socialize, and don't have to go far to meet people.

Socialization is a major part of being happy. Human beings are social beings, and an isolated existence could lead to loneliness and depression. The common activities in a retirement home goes a long way in lifting the spirit of the people.

All aspects of life has to be taken into account while retirement planning, whether it is financial, social, health, or emotional aspects. Everything is geared towards being happy.

So, one has to plan to be happily retired.