When I'm at work: retirement planning - Supported employee's workbook
Chapters
Meeting 2 - Why should I plan for my retirement?
What did we talk about at the last meeting?
What information have I found about retirement?
Some things to think about
Ask yourself these questions.
- What would I like to do instead of going to work?
- What are some of the things I won't be able to do when I stop going to work and retire?
- What are my choices?
- Stop going to work and do my own thing?
- Work for a few days a week or a few hours a week and have some time to do my own thing?
- Take long service leave before I decide when I will retire to try what it is like to do my own thing?
- What is best for me?
Meet Les
It was 11am and Les walked around his flat wondering what he could do next. He had been for his morning walk, had eaten his breakfast, made his bed, washed the dishes, watered his vegetable garden, and taken the garbage out.
He decided he would have a look at the photos he had taken on his recent holiday. 'Gosh that holiday was great', he said to himself. 'How lucky was I to have a holiday travelling around Australia for six weeks?'
Les finished looking at his photos and wondered again what he could do. Les thought to himself, 'I am 56 years old and I'm pretty fit. I used to get a bit tired by the end of the week when I was at work but I liked my work. I then left work so I could go on my trip around Australia and told everyone I was retiring.
'Now I am wondering if leaving work was a good idea because I don't have much to do during the day.'
Think about your answers to these questions.
- Do you think Les really wanted to leave work and retire?
- Do you think Les did any planning for the days when he no longer went to work and was retired?
- Do you think Les talked to anyone else about retiring?
- What do you think he was thinking mostly about when he decided to leave work?
- If you were Les, what would you have done?
How will I spend my time?
Not going to work means you will have more spare time.
It also means some questions have to be answered, such as, 'What will I do instead of going to work each day?'.
Think about some things you like doing now and would like to spend more time doing.
Think about some things you have never done and would like to do.
Some choices to think and talk about include:
- being a volunteer
- learning new skills
- doing hobby and craft activities
- travelling
- sport and recreation
- other community activities.
A healthy and active retirement
One of the best ways you can enjoy your retirement is to stay healthy and active.
Being active and getting some exercise can improve your health. Talk with your doctor about the type of activity that is best for you. It may be walking, bicycle riding, swimming, or gentle strength-building exercise.
Healthy food is also important. Start thinking about the food you eat. Is it healthy? Talk with your doctor if you would like some help with what you should eat.
Having regular health checks is very important. It is a good idea to see your doctor regularly to help you stay healthy.
Think about preparing a plan for yourself for a healthy and active retirement.
Meet Graham
Graham is 65 years old. He retired from work last year on the day he turned 65. Graham has been living in a two-bedroom flat with his mate Bob for the last four years. Before Graham retired he and Bob worked at the same factory and on the same shifts. They even caught the bus together in the morning and travelled home again together at night.
Although Bob is five years younger than Graham, and he still goes to work, they are good friends. They have a roster of the jobs to be shared. Bob cooks one week and Graham cooks the next week. They also share cleaning the bathrooms, vacuuming, dusting, mowing the lawns and other household chores.
One evening when Bob and Graham were sitting down to their evening meal Bob asked, 'Graham, why are you so grumpy when I come home from work these days? Are you a little bit sick? Since you finished work I have noticed you are sitting around all the time and don't seem to be having any fun'
'I dunno', said Graham, 'the days are very long at home by myself all day. It's good when you come home, Bob. I have someone to talk to then.'
Think about your answers to these questions.
- Why do you think Graham is grumpy?
- What could Graham do to help himself when he is grumpy?
Meet Beryl
Beryl is 65 years old. She retired from work last year on the day she turned 65. Beryl has been living in a two-bedroom flat with her friend Lois for the last four years. Before Beryl retired she and Lois worked at the same factory and on the same shifts. They even caught the bus together in the morning and travelled home again together at night.
Although Lois is five years younger than Beryl, and she still goes to work, they are good friends. They have a roster of the jobs to be shared. Beryl cooks one week and Lois cooks the next week. They also share with cleaning the bathrooms, vacuuming, dusting, mowing the lawns and other household chores.
One evening when Lois and Beryl were sitting down to their evening meal, Lois said to Beryl, 'Beryl, you are so happy when I come home from work these days. What do you do all day?'
'Well', said Beryl, 'each day is such fun and I am so busy. I don't know how I had time to go to work! I play bowls on Mondays, go to craft on Tuesdays, help at the op shop on Wednesdays and have other things to do on the other days.'
Think about your answers to these questions.
- Why do you think Beryl is so happy?
- What do you think Beryl did before she decided to retire from work?
- Who would you like to be like when you retire? Graham or Beryl? Why?
Gathering information and getting advice
Think about how you would like to spend your spare time when you stop working. Talk to other people who are retired about how they spend their time.
Let them know you are planning for your retirement. Ask them if they have any ideas about things you could do with the extra time you will have when you retire.
Here are some questions you may like to ask.
- How do you spend your spare time?
- Do you have hobbies and interests?
- Would you have any advice for me about how to use my spare time when I retire?
Bring this information to your next meeting.