Ready for retirement?
How to find out before you do it

When the time comes, will you be ready? The transition to retirement can be a real challenge for many of us. In fact, a 2019 poll by a major Canadian financial institution found that more than a quarter (27 percent) of retired Canadians regret retiring and an almost equal number (23 percent) have tried re-entering the labour market.1

More than just money

Many of the financial aspects of retirement are well known. Preparing to handle the psychological and emotional aspects of retirement is something else we need to consider. In the end, retirement is about much more than money; it’s about making a major transition — from a life where work plays a major role to one for which you’ll need to find different sources of contentment, self-worth, and social interaction. Some of us have developed interests, hobbies or goals that will provide much of the satisfaction we now get from work. Others are just not ready yet. One way to ensure your decisions are the right ones is to take a phased-in approach to retirement.  

Test drive?

A gradual approach to leaving the workplace can allow you to acclimatize to a new life and find interests and activities that will keep you occupied and satisfied. Consider whether you can arrange with your employer to reduce working hours or to work part time. Increasingly, employers are open to this approach because it works to their benefit as well. Some have sabbatical programs or allow time off to pursue volunteer opportunities. If that’s not feasible, consider alternatives such as a part-time consultancy or working reduced hours for another employer. If you’re self-employed, you can set your own retirement agenda. Once you’ve made space for non-work activities, use it to explore how you might want to spend your full retirement. Perhaps volunteering can provide greater meaning while still giving you lots of social interaction. Maybe travel for a couple of months, or try living in a warmer climate to explore whether those types of retirements are right for you. Test driving your retirement like this can involve many of the same financial issues as full retirement: evaluating potential sources of income, reviewing your investments and more. Let’s talk soon so we can test drive your finances as well to help to find the right retirement vision for you. 

1 The 2019 Retirement Income Poll, January 2019, Maru/Blue, MaruGroup.

Mutual funds provided through FundEX Investments Inc. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the simplified prospectus before investing. Mutual Funds are not guaranteed and are not covered by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation or by any other government deposit insurer. There can be no assurances that the fund will be able to maintain its net asset value per security at a constant amount or that the full amount of your investment in the fund will be returned to you. Fund values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. This information has been prepared by Peter Marchl who is a representative for FundEX Investments Inc., and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of FundEX Investments Inc. The information contained in this newsletter comes from sources we believe reliable, but we cannot guarantee its accuracy or reliability.

This newsletter has been written (unless otherwise indicated) and produced by Jackson Advisor Marketing. © 2020 Jackson Advisor Marketing. This newsletter is copyright; its reproduction in whole or in part by any means without the written consent of the copyright owner is forbidden. The information and opinions contained in this newsletter are obtained from various sources and believed to be reliable, but their accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Readers are urged to obtain professional advice before acting on the basis of material contained in this newsletter.

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