As part of your retirement planning, serious consideration needs to be given to the best time of year to retire. Not only are there financial implications, but what about the weather?  Things to think about: Action Plan: Some employee benefit programs state you must be retired on or before July 1st (meaning your last working…

Retirement is often viewed as a sudden stop from full-time work to total leisure, but reality is different. Many people do not realize that retirement often spans 25 to 30 years. What is phased retirement? Three Phases of Retirement The Go-Go years. (up to 75). This is the time for checking off bucket-list activities. Spending…

This week I spoke with someone who recently lost his wife due to a serious illness.  During our conversation, the person said, “It’s been weeks since my wife’s passing. I thought we were going to enjoy retirement and get old together. Now that’s just not going to happen. I don’t know how to grieve!” We…

Research shows: Most of us retiring today will live another 15, 20, 30 or more years. Considering this fact, “Will you create the best retirement you can, or will you let your retirement years just happen to you?” Retirement is more than money! It’s one of the most exciting and challenging stages of life. When…

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,…

Recently a financial advisor asked me, “What can I tell a client who is at a loss regarding time?” One of the most common complaints of retirees is wondering where the time goes. Often a retired person has the greatest intentions to accomplish goals and activities, but the days and weeks seem to disappear. This leaves…

Survey results: 84% of retirees don’t have a retirement mentor: someone who has already successfully travelled the retirement road. For over 14 years I’ve helped people prepare for, and live retirement.  Whether by way of my writing, speaking, workshops or personal mentoring it’s been a blessing and a gift.  However, there are people preparing for…

According to surveys, 88% of financial advisors report offering non-tradition guidance like financial coaching or lifestyle alignment, only about 46% provide truly holistic planning that covers the full spectrum of human and life-transition needs beyond pure portfolio management. Recently I asked a group of pre-retirees whether their financial advisor is offering them a holistic approach…

Recently I’ve written blogs concerning spousal/partner relationships in retirement.  I mention the importance of communication, whether it is how each feel about retirement, roles and responsibilities, acts of kindness and appreciation, family challenges, etc. (see www.whencaniretire.ca/insights/. But what makes for good communication between spouses and partners? For many couples, retirement comes as a shock.  Each…

As I argued previously, (Rick Atkinson: Retirement: The Ultimate Life Journey 2025), at retirement, one relationship that often changes is with your spouse or partner. In the early and middle years of marriage, couples normally don’t spend a lot of time together. As partners, they are busy making a living, raising a family and fixing…