A lot of people believe that everything
will change for the better after they are retired. However, this is far from
reality. Here are five misconceptions about retirement…
Retired Life is Less Stressful:
No hassle, no waking up early, no work, no boss, no worries, and no real
tension. Life couldn’t get any better.
Reality:
Stress never leaves our lives. After retirement, only the things that cause
stress change. Now, you may be worried about your health and your partner’s
health, your family and money. Yes, you wojnt be worrying about work, but
personal problems can make retired life more stressful.
Hobbies and Travel can be Taken up Easily:
You have plenty of time to go to all the places you ever dreamed of visiting,
and enjoy a hobby which you have always wanted to try out.
Reality:
Yes, you have all the time in the world, which is now taken up by other duties
and responsibilities. Some retired people have to take care of their grandchildren;
some may have to look after elderly or ailing family members. Some may even have
financial issues or health-related problems, which prevents them from traveling
or enjoying their hobbies. So, most retirees actually travel less than what
they used to before retirement.
Health Will Improve:
You will be able to adopt a healthy lifestyle, since you get more time to
pamper yourself. You will be able to take good care of your body and mind by
exercising.
Reality:
Often, aging and other health-related issues may come up, which prevents you
from exercising. They may stop you from adopting healthy eating habits or
lifestyle changes. More than half of retirees said that their eating habits
remained the same, and about one-third said that they get less exercise than
what they did before retirement.
Standard of Living Will Remain the Same:
Retirees plan and save for the future, so that they can continue and maintain
their standard of living.
Reality:
The cost of things will increase in the future, as compared to what it is
today. Healthcare and medical services need to be considered, as they are bound
to affect your savings. If you have considered inflation and saved accordingly,
then you are good to go!
You Still have Time for Retirement:
You still have time to retire, and you can start planning for retirement a few
years down the line. It is your personal decision, and you can ready yourself
for retirement.
Reality:
Inflation, layoffs, mergers, buyouts, or health concerns may force any
individual to retire earlier than they planned. In this era of tough competition,
it is better to be prepared in advance for unexpected situations like these. Planning
in advance will help you stay afloat in times of crisis.
These were some misconceptions that
surround the topic of retirement. Planning, preparing, and working hard to
secure your future is the key, and is in your hands. Be ready to start a new
phase of your life, because life begins at retirement!