Most people only plan for their 'working life,' the years including education for a career, setting professional goals, having a family, but retirement demands just as much planning, if not more, than a career. Every stage in a person or couple's lives should be addressed and you should try to gain the optimal satisfaction from each stage.
In most cases, preparation for retirement should not start later than age 59 for a woman and between 62 and 64 for a man. In today's advanced society, people are beginning to live longer, and following retirement at these ideal ages, they may have 20 to 25 vibrant years left...so don't put all that time to waste.
There are countless options for what you want to do with your retirement. It can act as a continuation of your 'old' life; you can work on or finish projects there was never time for before. I can also be perceived as a whole new life-much more enjoyable than the old skin you shed. If you want to do this, you have to set some goals for yourselves:
Do you want to...?
-Obtain a degree you never completed or started before?
-Join a club...from chess to hiking?
-Travel to new countries or even states?
-Learn ballroom dancing with your partner?
-Learn to play an instrument...the guitar or piano?
-Volunteer at a charity organization?
-Become more involved in your church?
-Take an art or ceramics class?
-Start a new business?
Make sure to do something that you're passionate about. You are finally free to be yourself. You might have followed in your parents' footsteps when you were younger. Now you are ripe, and know exactly what interests you and don't need to follow other people's dreams.
Associate with other people your age who have similar interests as you and your spouse. Start a small group that meets weekly for lunch or Bible study. You've got plenty of time, so have a few set appointments that you want to attend...an aerobics class twice a week and a sewing class. This will give you something to look forward to and will probably give you some 'homework' to occupy your time during the week. The best part is...you don't have to worry about getting a grade on that work!
