RETIREMENT EXAMPLES
We hope this series of short examples of how people are
making the most of their retirement will serve as both a source of ideas and
inspiration for your own retirement.
Click to return to the full index of
retirement examples
The following were all commended entries in the Laterlife Challenge
2006
Ted from Hampshire - Company Director prior to retirement
After I retired 6 years ago I felt that I still had a lot to offer and did
not want to rot away. I had been successful in business and financially
stable. Looking around to find something of a voluntary nature I contacted
the citizens advise bureau in Fareham and was accepted to go and train as an
adviser. The training took approx. 10 months after which I became a
generalist adviser. Being with the bureau for the past 5 years I have become
a specialist adviser dealing with debt. I get great satisfaction from
helping people to organise their finances and helping them through difficult
situations. Life has treated me well and I want to put a little back without
any monetary gain for myself the work is hard but very rewarding. Another
important issue for me is that it keeps my brain active.
John from Grimsby - Chemical Process Operator prior to retirement
I have and are driving for a local charity, Dial a Ride for two days a week.
Which transports handicapped and disabled people. This is voluntary work.
And for a number of years been and continuing to be a school governor of two
schools.
I am taking a computer course. The ECDL in modular form.
Adriana from London - Journalist prior to retirement
All my friends (they are al lovely and intelligent people) are not
terribly active and are just enjoying a life of leisure...which is fine, but
I believe that there are more exciting things to do than going to tea
parties and playing cards! Before anything else, let me tell you that I used
to live in Argentina, where, for over 25 years, I worked as a journalist. I,
Of course, I wrote in Spanish, so please forgive me if my English isn't
perfect. Having said this, I was an interviewer and used to often travel to
the United States and Europe to interview famous personalities. I loved my
job, because it gave me the opportunity to meet a lot (and I mean a lot!) of
people. I now live in London, with my partner, and since I no longer work as
a journalist, I dedicate my time "interviewing" lonely people. To me, every
human being is as important as the "important" people I used to
interview...and everyone has had interesting experiences...and love to talk
about them! They also love to remember episodes of their lives and having
someone, attentively listen, gives them the feeling that somebody cares and
as a result they feel a little less lonely. ...But, you don't have to have a
journalistic experience to listen to people's stories. You just have to be
honestly interested in what they are saying and transmit them some
understanding and warmth. I also write short stories. I sent a few to some
women's magazines, but they were returned to me, so I sent one of them to a
competition in the American Writer's Digest and won an award! I really love
LATERLIFE, I think it's so important for the over fifty's....and
sixty's..and seventy's, to have a place of our own on the internet where we
can exchange thoughts and ideas! Enough for today! I wish all of you the
very best for this New Year! Adriana
