5 Stages of Retirement

[CaliSally]

Though these stages may be sped up for us, I think they still apply, in general.

5 Stages of retirement were identified in "The New Retirement Mindscape" study, conducted recently by Age Wave and Harris Interactive. The emotional stages people commonly experience are:

* Imagination (15-6 years before retirement): People dream about how they will spend retirement. It's a time of optimism and enthusiasm.

[Imagining life with a cure to CF....]

* Liberation (The first year of retirement): This "honeymoon" phase brings a surge of relief, enjoyment and activity. New retirees reconnect with spouses, hobbies, traveling - even start new businesses.

[liberation? - I supposed it is liberating not having to try to fit everything in under a strict regimen..there is more time now - now you can do your treatments without the rush of having to head to work, or the rush before making your family dinner]

* Reorientation (2-15 years after retirement): Reality sets in - retirement may be different than expected. Many find they need to adjust plans. Four types of retirees emerge: Those who do it best are Empowered Reinventors; other are Carefree Contents, Uncertain Searchers or Worried Strugglers.

[which one are you???]

* Reconciliation (16 or more years post-retirement): People have come to terms with the changes and enter a phase of personal reflection and contentment.

[I reflect on the time when I felt like crap, but was expected to show up for work. I'm thankful that I have the time to take care of me now. I am content knowing that I have more control over my illness because I'm not fighting the clock and employer expectations.]

The study polled 2,000 people ages 40 - 75 across the country.

[I personally went through stages 2-4 over a 4 year span, although I'm sure there is more adjustment to experience...]

Best Wishes to all upcoming and current retirees...<img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">

 

[LouLou]

very interesting. thanks for posting.

 

[robert321]

hey i may be way out of line but most people can't retire because of the lack of funds for it until they are like 60-70, is there government funding or something for cfers?, because of the cf, a lot of times people have to retire when they are like 30-35, how can you afford it? i understand that you don't have to pay for retirement till your 80+ unfortunatley but still, how can you do it? do your spouses help out with the bills or what, i'm only 16 and still working on the first job thing so retireing isn't something i'm gonna need to do for a while (i hope, i can't stand still now, i'll go crazy if i have to not work or have something to do) i was just wondering, so i apologise if this is out of line, please tell me and i'll delete it if it is.

 

[mom2lillian]

Robert-most 'retirements' in CF come with disability SSI because the reason most stop working is due to illness. You cant really afford to depend on SSI beign there when you are older becuase you just never know. So, if you are 16 and working I woudl encourage you to start learning to save save save. I am 27 years old and hope to be able to work for a bit longer than the average CF'er since I am 'mild' case but I cant count on that so both my husband and myself have our 401K's very well funded contributing maximum amounts. I started my savings when I was 22 (6mo after dx) but if you can you should do it earlier as the earlier you save the more interest you will earn. No matter what sort financial pinch you are in dont scoop out of that retirement savings it will not be worth it 10 years down road though whatever pinch you are in seems a nightmare at time (we have had a few of these). Unfortunately since we all face an early retirement we have to be way more proactive and prepared than the average individual so good luck!

btw 401k shouldnt be only way you save, there are many other options out there also if you are going to be switchign jobs 401 is just what I mentioned.

 

[CaliSally]

Nicole,
Good advice - SAVE! Also, the more you work, the more you'll get when that time does come, given that the government still has the money to give you. You are right though, don't count on it. I was able to work until I was 35 which helped my SDI be a larger amount.

Robert - No one can live on SDI alone - especially in high rent locations - like California. I had to have help from family members to cover the rest of my expenses. But I went from working full time with no spending limits, to having to budget every penny. I didn't save anything, however, even if I had, it would have been gone within a year just to cover expenses, I'm sure.

Anyway, now I'm married, so finances aren't AS tight, though with just one real income in Cali - it's hard. We can only afford to live in the boonies, so my hubby has to travel 120 miles one way to work everyday.

I've been fortunate to be able to adjust to the drastic income change that retirement brought.

This is one reason I posted the article - CFer's need to prepare for retirement in their thoughts and finances. I NEVER thought I would have to retire, I was healthy all my life, but it pounced on me unexpectedly. Plan, plan, plan, even if you are healthy - NOBODY knows what life will throw at you - CF or not.

SAVE YOUR MONEY! - Put it in a 401K etc.

 

[JazzysMom]

Any financial planner will tell ANY person the need to plan ahead and most of the time these people are preparing for the unexpected. SO when dealing with CF or any chronic illness you need to plan even harder. We often lose out on some of the benefits that those who plan for the unexpected. We lose or get denied life insurance. We often dont pay into the system long enough to collect SSDI off our work history so we rely on SSD which really limits what you can work with. IF you have the chance to put $$ away do it. As Nicole mentioned....you dont know where Social Security will be by the time you can collect whether it be thru disability or retirement. I am proud of the fact that you are inquiring about this. Its good to know. I never thought that far ahead. Thank goodness circumstances worked out well for me and I have a fabulous husband otherwise I would be screwed!

 

[dbtoo]

I'll never retire. I have 28 years left on a 30 year mortgage! I'll be 78 by the time that's payed off!

I'll be in work with my walker and little green bottle chasin those little whipper snapper youngsters.

 

[lightNlife]

Thanks for the info about these stages. I'm going through a bit of that right nowas my husband and I plan ahead for what our life may be like when I cut back on working so hard.