Welcome To Retirement

Welcome to

RETIREMENT

New Retirees!

Beth Smith, Membership & Chapters Chair

Retirement from a Retired Teachers’ Perspective

• Do things that you have always wanted to do. • Socially, stay involved. Social isolation is the biggest problem in the older population. • Prepare yourself for “free” evenings – no schoolwork to do. • Have plans to keep active. • Do not lose touch with other teachers – both active and retired. Consider other avenues. • Be selective in your first year of retirement as to what you volunteer to do. Find something you like to do and do it. • Think about how you are going to fulfill your need to be relevant (needed, and a contributing member of society). • Keep a list of goals that range in easily attainable to difficult ones. (Bucket List) • Retirement is not an “event” – it is part of a journey. • The best thing about retirement is that you almost never have to set your alarm clock. • What I enjoy most is the freedom and flexibility to choose how I want to spend my days. • Have not heard anyone regret retirement. • Give yourself time to enjoy retirement during the first years – do not get too involved in volunteering or subbing. • Do not feel obligated to accept sub jobs – you can say no without guilt. • The importance of health, wellness, and economic security concerns. Do not just focus on the pension options. • It could be a long period and your health rarely gets better as you age, so do those active things early on in your retirement. • Select your retirement activities carefully – you may be creating unrealistic expectations for yourself. • Keep in touch with RTAM – KIT (publication), local RTAM Chapter, be vigilant on retired teachers’ issues as a group. You can make a difference as an “active” retired member - join an RTAM Committee or become a Director on the

RTAM Board. • I did not realize how much fun it would be and how much more relaxed I would be. • Stay involved in retirement – there is a world of new experiences out there and your teaching skills will come in handy in many of them. Try something new. • Retirement is the time when you, rather than others, finally get to plan your life. n

The Retired Teachers’ Association of Manitoba does not provide tax, legal, accounting, health, lifestyle, or any other form of advice. This material and information is meant for informational purposes only.