If you are closing in on retirement, you must have wondered about your post-retirement life. Unfortunately, in spite of what society and Google-image results might have led you to believe, retirement is not always sunshine and rainbows. In fact, studies have shown that one of the two most vulnerable periods in a person’s life is the first twelve months following retirement (the other being the first twelve months after birth).
However, that is not to say that you cannot attain the retirement life you have always dreamt and visualized about – it certainly is possible, more so if you follow the below tips by Bill Schantz of Mid Atlantic Financial LLC:
Tips for a Happy Retirement According to Bill Schantz:
Tip 1 by Bill Schantz – Straighten Your Finances Out:
Naturally, living our best retirement life is somewhat harder if we have no money and have a wall of debt closing in. For this reason, Bill Schantz believes that the most important thing for a happy retirement is to provide for rainy days.
Establish your post-retirement financial objectives, and see if your retirement funds are robust enough to support those objectives. Make a list of all the benefits – including pensions, retirement plans, social security benefits, and any other investments – that you can claim. If needed, consult a retirement planner to determine the amount of money that you need to save up every month or year to be able to fund your retirement lifestyle.
Tip 2 by Bill Schantz – Stay Physically and Mentally Active:
Regardless of age, we should all aim for at least 150 minutes of weekly, moderate-intensity exercise. If your work or other commitments did not allow you to incorporate exercise into your life, start working out and keep building up until you reach that 150-minute mark.
Of course, mental activity is just as important as its physical counterpart. Use some of your free time to give yourself a mental workout, whether it is by learning a new language, getting a certification, or playing a new musical instrument.
Make sure to make meditation a daily part of your life – since it has a positive impact on both your physical and mental health. A few of the benefits of meditation and mindfulness are: greater calmness and lower anxiety, reduction in blood pressure, and improvement in sleep quality.
Tip 3 by Bill Schantz – Stay Social:
According to research, one out of every seven boomers suffers from depression – and one of the main reasons behind it is the lack of socialization which is often characteristic of post-retirement life. Hence, Bill Schantz emphasizes on the need to stay in touch with your friends and loved ones. Plan a meet-up, or just make a spontaneous visit every once in a while.
Tip 4 by Bill Schantz – Pamper Yourself:
After decades of grind and hard work, Bill Schantz believes that you deserve a bit of ‘me’ time.
Whether it is a visit to a spa or a weekend getaway to your favorite spot, make sure to give yourself the love and care that you are worthy of.
Final Word:
To sum up, your dream retirement life need not be just a dream. Following the above tips by Bill Schantz will help you ensure that you are making the most of your retirement. To learn more about retirement and how you can plan for it, please feel free to check out some of the other blogs on our website.