Ageism – When is it Going to End!

Increasingly we’re reading and hearing about ageism.  Everything from being considered old at age 50, considered over-the-hill, seen as being non-productive, non-contributing members of society, and the list goes on.

Younger generations often see ‘older people’ as already having made their contribution to their family and society and have mentally ‘hung up their skates’.

Mergers, acquisitions, shifts in management or strategic direction, restructurings and unexpected personal events may not lead to an immediate exit, but they can set things in motion. While there isn’t a single definitive percentage for those forced into retirement due to health or layoffs, studies and statistics indicate that a significant portion of retirees leave the workforce earlier than planned. Around half of all workers over 50 have been pushed out of their jobs before they planned to retire.  Health reasons are a major factor in the early retirement decision

If you are 50 or older, it’s time to explore your future as a retired person. You could fall victim to ageism! It’s time to better understand your options. It’s time to do your homework.

In your quest for a successful retirement, whether you select full retirement or some other alternative (i.e. semi-retirement, temporary retirement), you need to recognize that successful retirees are energized and are actively pursuing new life goals. By adopting a zest for life, no matter their circumstances, they are enthusiastic about the future, and they shape their destiny as much as possible.

Successful retirees have a realization that retirement is much more than money and that planning for non-monetary needs is also important. We need to plan what we’ll do with our time.  We also need to consider things such as maintaining or improving our health, and how we’ll develop new social circles outside of work.

The importance of these things and more – a holistic approach – has become as vital as the financial issues for one simple reason: We’re living longer!

To help with your thinking regarding options including retirement, the second longest time in life, I invite you to visit my website and read the hundreds of insights written to aid in your life planning. www.whencaniretire.ca

If you’d like to just talk, please contact me by writing to: ramgt75@rogers.com.

The choice is yours.  You can sit and wait for whatever comes along, or you can tackle the challenges and opportunities of retiring successfully. It’s time to explore your future, including being a retiree.