Emotional Planning for Your Retirement Years

We all know the importance of financial planning for retirement, but many of us do not stop and consider that we also need to figure out what we want to do with our time. Oh, we imagine that trip to Hawaii and how much more organized our lives will be, but we often neglect to make long term plans that will keep us active. Understanding that our emotional needs will change during our retirement years can save us from some of the problems seniors face such as loneliness and boredom.

"I tell people to think about what they like to do with their time. What are their hobbies? Their interests? If they can start making contacts while they are still in the workforce, it will be much more effortless to ease into retirement," says Laurie Black, a counselor who often talks to women about their life goals.

For Betty Thompson of Medford, life after retirement is as active as ever. At an age when most people think about slowing down, she balances time with her family, church activities and is a regular volunteer at Northwest Seasonal Worker's Association where she helps low income people. In her early 80's, Betty understands the importance of getting out of the house and interacting with other people on a daily basis. She is a mother and a grandmother and was an early advocate for the disabled in Josephine County schools where her son Roger attended. "Roger had a traciostomy when he was just three months old. I had studied nursing and I found that I was more qualified to take care of him than anyone else, so for many years I stayed home with him and my daughter {Kathy}." At a time when many disabled people were institutionalized, Betty kept Roger at home and in public schools. She looks back on those years now and can see that she was always independent. "My own mother is a very strong, independent woman so I learned that from her."

Retirement pre-planning should include setting goals and part of that should be learning to live within a budget. This was not a problem for Betty who has always lived modestly. "Money doesn't mean very much to me other than what I can do to help other people with it "I believe in dying broke. I know people who scrimped and saved their whole lives. They didn't go on vacations or anything. And then they died and their children stopped working and lived off that money until it was all gone. And for what? "Money should be used as a tool and not a possession."

"Mama Betty", as she is affectionally known in her neighborhood, has a habit of helping people. "My neighbors know they can call on me when they need someone." And feeling needed is valuable. "When you get out and see something in the world, it makes you count your blessings. It keeps you aware of your surroundings and you can see how well you are doing in comparison to other people." Volunteering is something she has done throughout her life. "I think volunteering is an important part of giving back in your own community. Through the years, I always volunteered, even when my kids were young." Some of the rewards of volunteering include making new friends of all ages, having a sense that she is making a difference in other people's lives and increased self confidence. In giving back, Betty has learned that rewards are many.

Her positive attitude keeps her going. "I think you make your own happiness", she says. "I choose to be happy."