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It's not all about the money!
Have you saved $2,000,000?
Is your IRA protected?
Do you have enough money to live another 30 years?
Most of the books about retirement planning deal with the financial aspects of transitioning to retirement and totally ignore the critical psychological and emotional problems that we face as we leave our professional life.
Don't get me wrong -- you've got to have the money to cover your basic needs as having financial peace of mind is wonderful in retirement. But, many of us have trouble dealing with the psychological let down of not working and not having to deal on a daily basis with the 'thrill' of working....that addictive charge we got when we met a deadline or created a new product.
Yes, I'm one of those weird retirees.......a highly-charged Type A, achievement junkie who freely admits that sometimes I still miss working. What makes it even more difficult to discuss our emotions regarding our loss, is that most workers are envious of us having escaped the daily 9 to 5 prison.
I liked this book "The Retiring Mind" because Dr. Delamontagne highlights several examples which helped me better understand the loss I've felt since not working. His discussion of personality type and achievement addiction really hit home with me. There's a short quiz which helps you determine which E-personality you are.
While it's a little heavier reading than retirement books which suggest more golf or volunteer work to fill that hole left by not working, it's definitely worth your time.
For additional info: http://www.theretiringmind.com/
1 comment:
Sounds like an interesting book. Though not necessarily type-A, I expect that the quantum changes that take place across the board once retired - from no work and no paycheck to what-the-heck-do-I-do-to-keep-busy - will have an impact. Hopefully by planning and thinking it through ahead of the game, we can better prepare ourselves to make the best of retirement. Good post!
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