Active Retirement

Career Wisdom assists those making the transition from full-time employment…to something else, whatever that may look like.   Here’s an article by an active retiree in Perth, who is a mentor to active retirees.

You might have seen the term “Active Retirement” lately and wondered what it means.

The best way to describe it is to look at what it's not - passive retirement - where people just sit around all day waiting for...well, you know. 

 "Active Retirees"are the new breed of people who have opted out of the workforce for whatever reason, and who still have the energy, enthusiasm, curiosity and the "get up and go" to , well - get up and go!

So what do they do, these “active retirees”?

Well, a lot of them are not in fact retired, and never will be, preferring to keep their interests alive (as well as themselves) - but they have toned down the aggravation of work considerably, either working as a consultant to their previous employer, starting a new career or business venture or learning something entirely new – but most of all, making sure they have time to get away from it all regularly, for extended periods.  Or, they may choose a sea-change of sorts, adopting a completely different lifestyle.

These active retirees are indeed active in the physical sense - they are fitter, healthier, and more likely to take up sports or activities that in the past were considered inappropriate by their children.  Nana is not always home preparing the dinner now - she is more likely to be found "bootscooting", learning Italian or lunching with friends.

Today’s retirees are more in tune with technology than their retiree predecessors of ten years ago -  the internet cafes in Broome from June to September are a sea of grey hair! They are sending emails with photo attachments, and checking up on their share portfolios.  (When online broking was established, it was assumed it would be popular with the 30-something males – yet the majority of users are both men and women in their 50’s and 60’s).

And - they are so active, that they can keep up with their young grandchildren (and join them at nap time for a rest!). They can enjoy being involved in their lives. In fact, a growing number of grandparents now find themselves performing a parental role for the second time in their lives.  Their adult children may be single parents or dual income professionals who come to rely on their retired parents, who may appear to "have nothing else to do."  Active retirees - take heed!

Are you thinking of retirement?

Consider this: 

Before you retire you think it will be 90% about money, and 10% about what to do - when you've become an "active retiree", it's actually 10% about money and 90% about what to do!

See you on the beaches of the world – well, Cable Beach, Broome at least.

- An active retiree and mentor