Getting ready to retire is like getting home after a long day on your feet – the part of life where you just get to relax and chill for a bit without having to worry about a thing. If you’re about to embark on this chapter in your life, it’s important to be prepared so you can really make the most of your down time. Interested to know more about what you need to be thinking about now so you can be happy later? The following are some secrets to securing a happy retirement.
Have Enough Savings Built Up
Of course, this was going to be the first point, as money is what a lot of people worry about when they are running up to retirement age. Questions of how much is needed and how will I put that away flare up in many minds, but the good news is that you probably don’t need as much as you think you are going to need. A general rule of thumb is that you will only need 80-85% of your current paycheck when you stop working, and less if you own your home without a mortgage.
There are definitely ways to boost your income when you stop working so make sure you consider all options. For example, do you have a spare room you can rent out? Or have you thought about selling a life insurance policy for cash? There are plenty of online guides that will help you understand everything you need to know.
Health is Your Priority
If there was a lesson that should have been taught in school it’s that your health is one of the biggest chickens that comes home to roost in your entire life. The way you treat your body in your twenties will dictate how it treats you in your forties and what actions you took to repair yourself in your thirties will be paid for in kind in your sixties. Make sure you have a good healthcare provider, you have a good relationship with your GP, and that you have open dialogues with loved ones about what your wishes are should the unfortunate happen and you are no longer able to vocalize what you want.
If you are worried there are apps and guides that help specific needs like nutrition and supplementary vitamins and your pharmacist is always there to answer any questions you may have. There is one thing that is guaranteed to help no matter what, though, and that is to increase your exercise because most of the issues that surround premature death can be avoided by regular exercise and a good diet.
Relationships Are Important
You go through various stages in relationships as you grow older– in your twenties and thirties all of your friends are getting married and having children and, in your forties and fifties they are all either divorcing or their children are celebrating life achievements. What people often forget is that relationships evolve over time as well – hence the divorce part – and knowing that the same person you fell in love with at 25 is going to be a different person at age 75 is really important. Growth happens over time and if you are truly in love with your friends or your partner, accepting and growing with that is going to keep those people in your life.
Senior Outlook Today is your go-to source for information, inspiration, and connection as you navigate the later years of life. Our team of experts and writers is dedicated to providing relevant and engaging content for seniors, covering topics such as health and wellness, finances, technology and travel.
