A work transfer for a spouse can necessitate that the other partner resign their position. That is how I found myself working part-time rather than full, but the new schedule gave me time to do some other things I had wanted to do. One "bucket list" item that was important to me was travel but "play money" was limited.
Work After Sixty-five and Your Comfort Zone
The phone rang and the voice asked, "Dr. Rapp, would you be available to fill in as the lead psychologist at a men’s prison here in Indiana? We’re looking for an interim person for the month of April."
"You mean you called every psychologist in Indiana until you got to the R’s?"
"Pretty much."
The pay was good, the time was limited and required minimal disruption in schedule and family life. It was close enough I could get home each of the four weekends. But, working at a prison was so far out of my comfort zone, it had a different zip code. You can imagine my surprise when I heard myself say, "Yes."
Working past age sixty-five could take many forms:
- continued involvement in one’s chosen field
- a lesser paying job but in an area of interest never before considered
- returning to your former work or expertise but with fewer, yet flexible hours.
Brainstorm, have fun coming up with as many unfulfilled dreams as can be imagined, then choose the most viable one.
Full-time or Part-time
When April rolled over into May, my job at the prison was over. But, I had learned something. There was no reason I couldn’t continue to work. I still wanted to do it my way, however. I took a job with a company that provides psychological services to nursing homes, working one day at one facility and a second day at another. I will be adding another location tomorrow for a three-day work week. We can take many short trips and plan longer ones for the future.
Get out of the recliner and find meaningful work for your retirement years. You may save money on health costs, as the body benefits from movement.
Start a Business
Begin with a needs assessment. As the new career is being planned, talk to related establishments in the area to assess the need for the unique niche the new business will fill. If the community doesn’t need new widgets, develop a business that repairs them.
Talk to trusted advisors. Some communities offer small business development coaching. The Better Business Bureau can help plan.
A desire to paint, becoming the next Grandma Moses or a flamboyant interior designer, can be encouraged by a trusted mentor. That professional coach can be a relative or friend with an expertise in the field of choice.
Business Cards, Brochures, Websites, Blogs, Social Networking
Business cards are a minimum necessity. One can purchase inexpensive cards over the Internet. Brochures can be professionally done at the same sites. Attractive, colorful, positive, informative, uncluttered brochures can be a helpful addition to your arsenal of spread-the-word materials.
A website developed by professionals can be expensive. There are inexpensive, easy-to-use website hosting and development venues that provide creative templates that simply require the user to plug in their information. One can also create a free blog and add information in posts. Social networking sites can be updated daily. Also, people can tweet, twit, and tinker as often as they feel they have the time. Time and flexibility are the only limiting elements to inexpensive advertising.
The Internet also hosts lists that include people who are theoretically recommended by the person whose name appears on the website header. Log onto Angie, Craig, or Elmer Fudduttle’s List, review the businesses already identified there and see if that may be a way of getting your name to the public.
Retiring Early
Currently, the qualifying age for full retirement in the U.S.A. under Social Security is age 67. According to attorney Agnes Wladyka’s website, "the normal retirement age was increased gradually beginning in 1999. When the change is fully phased in 2022, the normal retirement age will be 67 ... ." According to Thomas Dalton, early retirement may not be wise. Other age-related requirements apply as well. Call the Social Security office to verify all important decisions regarding your benefits.
Make Work Fun
After retirement, one either works for nothing or is gainfully employed. If travel is desired, stay in the current career and take long luxurious vacations. Having fun or doing something that has only been dreamed of may be more important than travel or earnings. In that case, the only limitation is a small imagination. Just know what the heart’s goals are and make choices that can be lived with.
Sources:
www.bbb/org/, "Steps to Starting Your Own Business" (Accessed September 28, 2010)
www.imdb.com, "The Bucket List" (2007), written by Justin Zackham, Rob Reiner Director (Accessed September 18, 2010).
www.nysscpa.org/, "Retirement at 62: Is Receiving Social Security Early Worth It?" by Thomas M. Dalton (Accessed September 18, 2010)
http://www.socialsecurity.gov, "Retirement Benefits by Year of Birth" (Accessed September 9, 2010)
www.wladykalaw.com. "Social Security Retirement Benefits" (Accessed September 22, 2010)
Join the Conversation