The Three Phases of Retirement

For most of us, we usually began to pick up the pieces and realize that retirement is well on it's way. There are some, like myself, who have bee wanting to prepare themselves for retirement since the time that they were old enough to get a job. This does not mean that we are well prepared, for the most part, no one is well prepared for retirement. Sure, you might plan and save for the future but when that time comes, you might be wodering were all those years went and wishing that you could get the chance to do it all over again.

For those of you who don't know, there are typically three phases of retirement. Some of these phases may not hit you at all and then again, you might be hit by all three. It is better to know the three phases now so that you can prepare yourself for them. If you are already into retirement, you might already know these phases and have probably already been through at least one of them.

So, what are these phases? The first one is known as the active retirement phase, and then there is the passive retirement phase, and then the final retirement phase. We will take a look at all three of these phase and determine what each of them stand for and see how it might impact you when you reach the retirement phase.

The acitive retirement phase pretty much says it all in it's name. It is the phase of the retirement that you are probably going to be the most active. It is the time in your life when you have finally retired and decided that you want to do the things that you have been waiting for, for a long time. It is the moment when you can finally say that you don't have to go to work and you can just enjoy life the way that you were meant too.

During the active retirement phase, most people will take those well deserved vacation and trips that they have been wanting to go on. Some people travel around the world while others, simply take a vacation on an Island. This is probably known as the best phase of retirement and it is known for that for a reason. You can go almost anywhere because you no longer have the obligations of such things like a job. This would be a great time to enjoy the life that you have created and the family and friends that surround it.

The second phase, also known as the passive retirement phase, is usually the phase when people began to get tired of all the trips and want to settle down into a more simple life. People will usually find themselves worried about their health or the health of a spouse. The retirees usually decide that it is time to call it quits and to just lay back and relax.

Most people in this phase will choose not to splurge on money the way that they did in the active retirement phase. Instead of spending money, they become more conervative. This phase has usually gotten people to were they just want to relax and they may enjoy much simpler things. The health of the person might be making it a little more complicated for them to enjoy the things that they once did.

The third and final retirement phase, will usually have the person depressed because of the many things that they have probably had to go through. For instance, the loss of a loved one and especially a spouse. This can take a tole on them and may have them dreading each day. They are into the stage that may cause a certain risk for them to go out and do things and they may not have anyone at home to share their time with.

The final phase can also mean that they are becoming forgetful and may have a hard time coping with everyday life. Things that they once loved and enjoyed, might seem like more of a burden to do now that they are older and that health is now playing a huge factor.

So, what should we do about these phases? Remember that the first phase is the suppose to be the most joyous one, this means that you should take the trips and visit the family that you have been putting off during this time. Don't go out and splurge, you will still need money throughout the rest of your retirement, but take those vacations and enjoy it.

The three phases are said to come in sets of ten. Ten being for the first, ten for the second, and ten for the final phase. If you keep this in mind, you might be able to plan things out a little better.