Retirement Readiness & Retirement Wellness

I see these words often in a variety of forms from the financial services industry.  The majority of these programs and reports are focused on the financial side of retirement.  It’s obvious that no one can be really ready for retirement if they only look at the money.  Of course, the financial side of things is important and relatively easy to wrap our heads around. The challenging and impactful work that focuses on the non-financial side is often overlooked and can provide a glimpse into how to avoid the dark side of retirement.  Just because you are financially healthy at retirement does not mean you are well. 

Can someone fail at retirement?  It seems so, with over 50% of retirees reporting they wish they had done a better job of planning the non-financial side of the equation.  And approximately 77% of those who have participated in our RQ (Retirement Quotient) assessment wish there were more resources available.

There is a veritable mine field awaiting some who are about to consider retirement.  Some believe there is some kind of magical line we simply step over into…..emptiness?  Reaching what the work world suggests is our expiry date at age 65, is not served with some kind of magic elixir that creates for you an exciting new life.  It’s not perfect and it’s not easy.  But with some thoughtful consideration it can be remarkable and at times result in un-retirement which is a whole new journey.

One of the most dramatic pieces to the retirement puzzle is how to replace a work place identity.  Less than 20% of those reporting had any idea they would even have to consider this, let alone figure out what it means to them, to their routine, their schedule, their community, relevance, or reason to get up in the morning.  Seems retirement just creeps up on us and before we know it, we are put out to pasture with little or no planning.

There is no single best way to plan for the non-financial side of retirement.  But there is a way.  If you are looking for a retirement coach for yourself or your clients we are here to help.  And if you’d like to take our Retirement Quotient (RQ) assessment to see how ready you are send me a message.