Non financial - how to prepare for retirement

Fabtasia

Anonymous101 said:

OldMusicGuy said:

One of the most important things in preparing for retirement is understanding yourself and what really makes you happy. 

I couldn't agree more. I think that's the crux of the whole topic.

A huge issue I see here is that many people are so caught up in work and paying bills etc that they don't give the "what makes you happy" part any real attention. If they do it usually results in some form of buying something - bigger house, faster car, nicer clothes. When really what they should be thinking about is what they find rewarding, giving themselves financial security, spending time with family, achieving something at work, giving something back to their community etc etc.

I can see why people go part time, it gives you time to think.  I find, I'm exhausted rushing around in my weekends and evenings to do what  I want to do.
I can see myself, taking some time off and then potentially going back into the workforce.  I've signed up to voluntering opportunity which potentially be done as a sabbatical or as a reason to leave next Summer.  
What I've found in the past, is that if I get a general direction on something, e.g I'm going to pay off my mortgage, I'm going to change my career, the small steps start slotting themselves in to place.

jim8888

What I've found in the past, is that if I get a general direction on something, e.g I'm going to pay off my mortgage, I'm going to change my career, the small steps start slotting themselves in to place.

I just read a nice quote reference the above: "Leap and the net will appear" John Burroughs (quoted in a book I'm reading about punk rock by Viv Albertine, Clothes, Clothes, Clothes, Music, Music, Music, Boys, Boys, Boys.) Excellent book, BTW.

RetSol

Seldom a day goes by though, that I don't thank my lucky stars that I achieved the "FI" part of FIRE, because I think that underpins the psychological approach to a positive retirement. I grudgingly admit that five years ago I wasn't quite financially prepared for the lifestyle I wanted, and I think that's what partly drove my return to work. I don't like to think that life's all about money but I feel that there's no argument that it's what gives you choices one way or another.

Strikes a chord with me.

For three decades, I stuck with a professional career which paid well and which I was good at but which I did not particularly enjoy.  However,  I was able to work part-time for a number of years whilst re-training as a humanistic counsellor.

Now, with the financial support derived from my first career, I have embarked on a new career as a counsellor in private practice. I am self-employed for the first time and I am loving it. 

I know many counsellors and psychotherapists who are still working in their 70s and 80s.  I am in my 50s but  I hope still to be working in 20+ years time.  I think that it will keep me young! 

Sea_Shell

RetSol said:

Seldom a day goes by though, that I don't thank my lucky stars that I achieved the "FI" part of FIRE, because I think that underpins the psychological approach to a positive retirement. I grudgingly admit that five years ago I wasn't quite financially prepared for the lifestyle I wanted, and I think that's what partly drove my return to work. I don't like to think that life's all about money but I feel that there's no argument that it's what gives you choices one way or another.

Strikes a chord with me.

For three decades, I stuck with a professional career which paid well and which I was good at but which I did not particularly enjoy.  However,  I was able to work part-time for a number of years whilst re-training as a humanistic counsellor.

Now, with the financial support derived from my first career, I have embarked on a new career as a counsellor in private practice. I am self-employed for the first time and I am loving it. 

I know many counsellors and psychotherapists who are still working in their 70s and 80s.  I am in my 50s but  I hope still to be working in 20+ years time.  I think that it will keep me young! 

What does a humanistic counsellor do?


I bet you see plenty of comments on these boards and think "they need help!" 😉😉😉

Are we being analysed as we type?

RetSol

What does a humanistic counsellor do?

It is a counselling/psychotherapy modality.  I am trained in Gestalt counselling, in particular.  Other modalities are, eg, person-centred, psychodynamic, psychoanalytic.

I bet you see plenty of comments on these boards and think "they need help!" 😉😉😉

Are we being analysed as we type?

No.  I am particularly interested however in family dynamics and individuals' life choices so, in addition to assisting my financial education, the forums often provide examples of contemporary life experience which reflect my own and those of my clients. 

vulcanrtb

RetSol said:

It is a counselling/psychotherapy modality.  I am trained in Gestalt counselling, in particular.  Other modalities are, eg, person-centred, psychodynamic, psychoanalytic.

Ah now I'm with you.
Actually, no, I'm really not 

Sea_Shell

RetSol said:

What does a humanistic counsellor do?

It is a counselling/psychotherapy modality.  I am trained in Gestalt counselling, in particular.  Other modalities are, eg, person-centred, psychodynamic, psychoanalytic.

I bet you see plenty of comments on these boards and think "they need help!" 😉😉😉

Are we being analysed as we type?

No.  I am particularly interested however in family dynamics and individuals' life choices so, in addition to assisting my financial education, the forums often provide examples of contemporary life experience which reflect my own and those of my clients. 

You need to get yourself over to the Families and relationships board!!  Plenty of case studies to be found there!!

As for what you do.  Sorry, I'm still non the wiser!😲

RetSol

As for what you do.  Sorry, I'm still non the wiser!

Hello, @Sea_Shell.  To give an example, I do some work with a bereavement counselling charity supporting clients experiencing the loss of a family member.  My private clients are often looking for support with bereavement, the difficulties of caring for a parent with dementia or anxiety-related issues, eg health anxiety in the pandemic. 

GunJack

mark55man said:

 Both OH and I will be comfortable in retirement once all pensions including SP kick in (even the survivor) 

Agreed..... with both DBs plus SP for me and SP for her, we'll be loaded at 67. Mrs. G-J will get 50% of my DBs if I croak first, so she'll be ok with that and her own SP. Unfortunately for me I'll probably have to leave retirement until 62 'coz of DB2 (smaller than DB1 which pays at 60)  

PennyForThem_2

GunJack said:

mark55man said:

 Both OH and I will be comfortable in retirement once all pensions including SP kick in (even the survivor) 

Agreed..... with both DBs plus SP for me and SP for her, we'll be loaded at 67. Mrs. G-J will get 50% of my DBs if I croak first, so she'll be ok with that and her own SP. Unfortunately for me I'll probably have to leave retirement until 62 'coz of DB2 (smaller than DB1 which pays at 60)  

You married/partner couples out there......... I am a widow so I absolutely see where GunJack is coming from.  

However a caveat...........I rely much more on my husband's annuity (Standard Life) bought with his DC pension in 2008ish which dropped to half when he died but was inflation proofed by 4% p.a come what may.  My DB pension is NHS which is about 13K but taxed at 20%, Widows Pension Teachers which is about £4k taxed at 20%.  Both of the NHS and TP have increased this year by a WHOOPING 0.5%.  I don't do drawdown from my SIPP because my SP way and above comensates for my income.  (I delayed payment for at least 7 years at 10%  - a very delibrate decision).
So for all those complacent couples out there - women have a longer life expetency than men.  Please, please make sure that your widow is well provided for.  And reading these forums I do think most of you take this into account.

My husband fell into it - it was only when we went to Financial Advisor from a firm recommended by Which? that we sorted ourselves out. My husband was in early 60's and I was in late 50's.  My husband died at 69  (2011) - I am now in my 70s