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| Several retired and semi-retired women assist with a birthday party at the nursing home. |
This may seem like a welcome relief to some, but to many of the over-62 set, it is a difficult adjustment.
Many retirements do not take place as originally planned. People get laid off from their jobs, or are bought out through early retirement incentive packages. A self-owned business may falter. Changes in health may have forced an earlier-than-anticipated retirement.
There are also financial realities. Most people earn less in retirement than they did during their working years. The cost of COBRA or Medicare supplement premiums may be more than anticipated. Part-time work may not be as available as had been anticipated--or it may pay significantly less than expected. Perhaps interest income or dividends from investments or income from the sale of real estate had been anticipated--and we all know what the 2008 market crash and subsequent recession did to those sources of income. Although statistically, retirees are better off in today's economy than young families--especially single-parent families--that "fact" is cold comfort to an individual retiree who is having a hard time making ends meet.
But perhaps the greatest difficulty is the fact that, in American society, value is often related to what one does or how much they earn. We may be the same people on the inside, but society views retirees and volunteers differently than it does people who have "real" jobs.
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| I lobbied for public libraries at the Minnesota legislature. |
Like young parents and housewives who feel their tasks are unappreciated or mundane compared to a "paying" job, new retirees often flounder with their sense of self worth. The walls of the house may seem to be closing in. Volunteer work may be boring or unsatisfying. Family expectations may be greater now that one is no longer working.
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| These retirees volunteer regularly at the Dassel History Center. |
It takes time for retirees to adjust to a new routine and a new level of income. When I retired a year and a half ago, I got involved in several new activities and got more involved in a few places where I had been only marginally engaged. For spiritual enrichment, I joined a ladies Bible study group and got more involved at church. I was elected vice chair of the Minnesota Library Trustees Association and got more involved on the regional library board. I applied for and was appointed to two advisory committees in areas where I had expertise from my past career. I became a volunteer driver and continued work at the Dassel History Center. Many of these positions include some compensation or expense reimbursement, so they augment a reduced income. I planted a larger garden to aid the grocery budget--and also because I enjoy the activity. I've been helping with a couple of political campaigns. There has been a little more time for coffee or lunch with friends--several of whom are facing their own struggles with health and personal problems.
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| Dressing up in fancy hats for a birthday tea with old friends. |
Despite all this activity, I experience "bad days" when I feel less beneficial to my family and community than in my previous career. The job market remains dismal--especially for people over age 65 who are regarded by many employers as being "over the hill." (In reality, I have little desire to work more than part-time anyhow.) Like many retirees, I sometimes feel as if I am not making the best use of my time and talents--but in reality, time management has been a lifelong struggle.
Since retirement, I also cut back on my involvement on a couple of committees that did not seem to be as good as a "fit," where my participation caused too much personal stress, or where it appeared that perhaps somebody else could do a better job. That's okay, too. Our bodies are not as young as they used to be, things take longer to do, and there is no point in doing something because we feel "obligated" rather than because we enjoy it.
Retirement is one of the seasons of life. It may be the autumn of our lives instead of full summer, but autumn can also be a glorious time of year.
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| My ladies Bible study group. |
