Retirement Advice from Alhambra Locals

What do members of the community wish to share about retirement? Alhambra residents Boris Tong and Herman Whitaker have some advice.

Retire from Inactivity

“Retirement is finally here. Now, you can spend your days relaxing, traveling, and doing activities you dreamed of doing at your job. No more sitting through countless hours of traffic and performing that same routine again and again,” says Boris Tong of B&C Physical Therapy.

“However, what if I told you that the routine you have been doing for so long actually kept your body in shape?”

Many people actually benefit from the structure of the workday. It can provide the motivation needed to get outside, exercise, and move in general. However, once this imperative is removed, some people respond by spending more time sedentary and indoors. Such inactivity can take a toll on the body at any age.

“When [retired] people start to feel those aches and pains,” continues Boris, “they decide to suddenly get active or finally take that trip. Unfortunately, with that sudden change in activity, the body is often unprepared for it and can sustain an injury from that dance class you just signed up for or feel knee pain walking on all the uneven terrain at The Great Wall.” What does Boris suggest? “Stay active! Once you retire, make sure you still have a routine, and make sure that routine includes some form of exercise. If you are new to exercise, start with something light and gradually intensify. The key is progression—a person cannot run before learning to walk! Integrate movement into your everyday life so you can experience all the joys of retirement instead of sitting on the sidelines.”

Make Retirement Plans While You’re Still Young

“The reality is that life happens fast,” says Herman Whitaker, M.A. of Platt College. “For many of us, taking the time to pause and review plans for retirement doesn’t have the greatest priority. One day, we wake up, and retirement is knocking on the doorstep, but the potential to retire has eluded us simply because we did not plan well.”

To combat this, Herman suggests having a retirement plan in place far ahead of time. “It must be realistic, substantial, and one you can commit to long-term,” he advises.

“Maximize your company’s 401K, 403b, or other retirement programs. Review your will or trust and get all your