Dear Ellie
Think of Dear Ellie as your very own kitchen table, where you can discuss the things that are on your mind. Now that the boomers are turning 60 and those in the Greatest Generation are in their 70s, 80s, and 90s—we are all blazing new trails in the third third of life. So, have a cup of coffee and let’s talk about life: the past, the present, and the future. [Editor's note: Dr. Greenberg no longer contributes to Silver Planet, but we have made her archived blog entries available as a service to our readers.]
Afraid to Retire
Dear Ellie:
I am almost 60 years old, and the people in my office are always asking me when I plan to retire. I’ve started to go to the retirement planning workshops that my company offers, but to tell you the truth, I’m scared to retire. What should I do? Betty W.
Dear Betty:
First of all, let me say that most people that I know are “scared to retire.” Most of us have anxiety about the unknowns in our lives. That’s natural. And retirement is a very big step.
We will be leaving the work environment that has become familiar to us. We may also be leaving friends and colleagues with whom we have shared our days and our ideas. Usually, we will no longer be collecting a pay check and will begin to rely on other sources of income to support ourselves.
We may also be worried about what we will do every day when we no longer get up, get dressed, and go to work. We worry about being bored, about being poor, about being lonely, and about having to rearrange everything in our daily lives.
Betty, you are not alone. I’ve talked to hundreds of people who are thinking about retirement and who are worried.
Over the next few weeks, I will be inviting men and women who are at various stages of planning for and living in retirement to come to www.SILVERPLANET.com, ask their questions, and share their own ideas with others in the same boat.
Together, we will be able to learn what others are thinking and doing. That way, we will be able to make better decisions about our own lives. There is no better way to solve our everyday problems than to share them and learn from each other.
So, please come back often to www.SILVERPLANET.com and join in the conversation. Thanks for starting the discussion. Stay in touch, and have a nice evening.
And, by the way, continue to go to those retirement planning workshops offered by your company. Be sure to tell us what you are learning there. Then we can all learn more! Ellie
By Elinor Miller Greenberg, EdD
Our Silver Advisors™ are professional geriatric care managers and other experts who provide phone consultations on preventing falls, navigating Medicare, evaluating senior driving challenges, and other issues baby boomers must resolve while caring for an aging loved one. Silver Advisors clarify concerns, suggest a plan of action, help prioritize next steps, and furnish personalized written plans and recommendations. All callers receive a complimentary 15-minute consultation.
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