Many Lockheed Martin employees plan for years for retirement, often focused on that magic number: age 65. But sometimes, regardless of all the pre-planning, you can feel rushed into retirement, or you feel that you need to save a little bit more. Many people view retirement as a new chapter in life, while others see it as a time for rest and relaxation.
Like most Lockheed Martin employees, the majority of retirement planning has been on the financial side. Often overlooked is the dramatic lifestyle change, no matter the age you retire. Assuming you have the financial side in place, how can you make your transition into this new lifestyle as seamless as possible?
Here are 6 tips to help you glide into retirement:
- Listen to yourself: The first step is to take this transition at the speed that’s right for you. For some, that might mean jumping on the first flight to Paris the day after your retirement party. For others, it might mean reading a few books or working on home projects for a few weeks or months before achieving any big retirement goals you might have.
- Stay connected: For decades, you have spent most of your waking hours around your coworkers, family, and friends, so you’re used to having a lot of people around. In retirement, make sure to maintain a level of contact that’s right for you, whether that’s meeting for coffee, lunches, or joining a club.
- Fill your time with things that make you happy: For decades, your job has provided a routine, a sense of accomplishment, and a schedule to fill 8 to 12 hours of your day. At least in the beginning, you can consider preparing a retirement schedule, or a list of things you’d like to accomplish each day. Stick to a regular sleep schedule, have a to-do list, set big and small goals, and have a regular routine.
- Consider part-time work or volunteering: Both options can provide a sense of connection with other people, fill your time, and give you a sense of accomplishment. Whether you want to volunteer at a local school, work with animals, or do anything you choose, it can be a truly enriching experience. If you’d like to volunteer but aren’t sure what your options are, there are plenty of ideas and tips for retirees here.
- Be mindful of your spouse: If both of you are retired, suddenly you’re spending more time together every day than ever before, and that can take some getting used to. You’ll need to be patient and supportive with each other, don’t expect your spouse to entertain you, and rediscover yourself.
- Plan for health care: Even if you feel healthy and active at the beginning of your retirement, it’s important to plan for any “just in case” health scenarios. Explore your group benefits and compare those to your Medicare supplement options. It’s important to look at these options carefully and often with the assistance of an expert.
With these tips in mind, no matter when you’re retiring, we wish you the best of luck, happiness, and health! We invite you to give us a call today at 817-210-3444 or click HERE to book a complimentary consultation with one of our Lockheed Martin specialists who can review your financial situation, introduce you to a Medicare supplement expert and help answer your questions.
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Be sure and check back next week for more valuable Lockheed Martin information. Cheers!