Planning for Un-retirement

Many Gen-Xers have worked hard all their lives and are excited to retire. But once the day comes, they may have some sadness due to a loss of identity, social connections, routine, and a purpose to get up in the morning. Work is a large part of people’s lives no matter what job they hold and leaving it can cause the retirement blues. 

Many people who retired during COVID chose to unretire after the pandemic ended for both financial and emotional reasons. Retirement can sever many of our connections and lead to a social void. Some studies have indicated that up to one-third of people will suffer from loneliness later in life. Health organizations have shown loneliness can have a significant impact on physical and mental health.

All this means retirement planning can not just be about the financial numbers. Both lifestyle and social connection planning are also needed. What steps are needed to ensure a smooth transition into retirement?

A great first step would be finding out who you really are, becoming more self-aware and accessing what activities and experiences will align with your values and priorities. My preferred option to complete the first step is to explore Retirement Dimensions™ which allows participants to explore their values, strengths, concerns, interests and relationship preferences as well as their philosophical view of retirement through a series of statements and rate their selections as most like them, a lot like them, somewhat like them and least like them. After this first step, a full plan for lifestyle and social connection can be developed and mapped out.

My husband, a lifelong Introvert, recently retired at a still young age, about three years ago after decades of working at a Crown Corporation. A lot of his identity was tied to his career and he was often praised for his knowledge and work. My husband and I both did financial planning for retirement. But I hate to say this as a Personality Dimensions Level 1 facilitator with an Organized Gold personality, and knowing my husband for over 30 years, I failed to put a social and connection plan in place for my husband. Despite my looming dread as his retirement date grew closer and closer, I froze until it became reality. He had talked vaguely before retirement about walking the dogs every day, getting a gym membership, taking cooking courses, and buying an RV to travel the country.  But once retirement hit, none of this happened. 

After a few weeks of him playing video games all day, with the odd birding outing with a friend of mine, I stepped in and filled out a form with the local food pantry for him. After chatting with the co-ordinator, he signed up to help cook meals for an afternoon once a month. It ended up being about once a week, because he really loved to cook, they really appreciated his help, it got him out of the house to spend time with people and gave him a sense of purpose. But there were still a lot of hours to fill with no plan in place. The inevitable happened. He decided to un-retire. He is not alone. According to Joblist’s US Market Q2 2022 Report 60% of retirees who return to work do so because they simply want something to do!

It’s been about 3 years now that he has been on contract. Each year he says, “just one more year.” But he loves the recognition he gets from his co-workers, and it gives him a sense of purpose. He just renewed a contract for another year and a half. He says this time he really, really is going to retire.

I think I believe him this time, and I want a solid plan in place before this happens. I love my husband, but 24/7 is a lot. So last week I sent him the Retirement Dimensions™ assessment to fill out. Turns out he has an Inquiring Green personality with a lot of Organized Gold. Knowing his primary colours, the tool allows him and I to review the sample activities, potential roles, and outline the tasks needed to reach his goals to redefine and embrace the next chapter in his life. I will provide an update on how it goes. Wish us luck. Let the planning begin.