Are you nearing retirement age? If so, it’s important to know what to expect during this life stage. There are five stages of retirement, and each one comes with its own set of challenges and rewards. Here’s a look at what you can expect in each stage.
1. Denial – You can’t believe that you’re retired and keep telling yourself that you’ll go back to work tomorrow. You wake up one day and realize you’re retired – it doesn’t feel real, you keep telling yourself it’s just a phase and you’ll go back to work soon. You spend your days watching TV, sleeping in, and eating junk food. You start feeling guilty for not doing anything with your time.
2. Anger – You feel like your life is over and you’re angry at everyone who told you retirement was the best thing ever. Anger is a common emotion among retirees, anger can be caused by many things, including feeling left out or ignored. Retirement can be a difficult adjustment for some people. Ways to deal with anger include exercise, relaxation techniques, and talking to a therapist. It’s important to find healthy ways to deal with anger so it doesn’t negatively affect your health.
3. Bargaining – You start making deals with yourself, like “I’ll retire if I can still golf twice a week” or “I’ll retire if I can stay home with the grandkids part-time” Define what retirement means to you and what’s important. How much money do you need to feel comfortable in retirement. What steps can you take now to make sure your retirement goals are met. Are there any risks associated with the path you’re considering.
4. Depression – You feel sad and lonely, like you have no purpose in life anymore. You’re not alone – according to the National Institute on Retirement Security, about 40 percent of retirees experience some form of depression. There are many possible causes for depression in retirement, including a loss of social connections, a change in lifestyle, and health problems. Symptoms of depression can include feeling sad or lonely, having trouble sleeping or eating, feeling overwhelmed or hopeless, and withdrawing from friends and activities. If you think you might be depressed, it’s important to seek help from a doctor or mental health professional, there are many ways to treat depression, including medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes
5. Acceptance – You finally realize that retirement is not so bad after all and come to terms with the fact that this is your new life. Retirement can be a difficult time for some, but it’s important to accept it and move on. Don’t dwell on the past – there’s no point in looking back when you’ve got so much to look forward to. Don’t be afraid to try new things – retirement is the perfect time to do what you’ve always wanted. Spend time with family and friends – they’ll help you get through this new chapter in your life. Stay active and don’t become a couch potato – you’ll only feel worse if you do nothing all day. Embrace change – it’s inevitable, so learn to roll with the punches.
Each of the five stages of retirement come with their own unique challenges and rewards. Have you gone through any of these stages? We want to hear your stories! Share them in the comments below or on our social media pages. Retirement can be a very rewarding time in life, but it’s important to be prepared for what lies ahead. If you’re nearing retirement age, make sure to read up on the different stages so you know what to expect.
Have Questions, Reach out to me for more information.
Carl me at (858) 526-3037
Carl Spiteri Branch Manager – Mortgage Advisor
NMLS id 286890
(858) 526-3037
Benchmark Mortgage
Ark-La-Tex Financial Services, LLC NMLS id 2143
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