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"Find things that you like to do, are able to do, and do them. A fear of boredom should not be cause
for concern. There are several organizations in need of expertise and caring individuals.
"If you plan to go into an assisted living facility, plan ahead and think carefully. Many places have
age limits when accepting applications. Furthermore, you can lose a lot of your freedom such as what time
to eat and when to have company. Live at home as long as you are able to do so.
"Be prepared for the physical and emotional changes that come naturally as part of the aging
process. You never know what can happen, so be prepared—mentally, physically, and
financially." Louise Ball, 2006
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"Don't drop your professional career all at once. Reduce your work slowly and ease off from your
responsibilities. Don't drop everything at once because many people who enter retirement this way end up
unhappy and bored."
George Bekey, 2006
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"Retirement should not be viewed as a loss but an opportunity to do new things. This is a
time when people can do the things they did not have time to do while working full time. There are things you
should plan for such as finances and health care. The sooner the better, for this way if something unexpected
comes up you won't be unprepared. Keep track of your own health records, too. This is especially
important because the older one gets, the more likely they may be to have an incomplete health record and no access to
earlier records."
Robert P. Biller, 2006
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"Eleanor Roosevelt once said, 'Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift; that is why it
is called the present'."
Stebbins Chandor, 2007
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"I have no advice for others except to warn them that the ostensibly joking comment, re: 'you're busier
than ever after you retire,' has a considerable amount of truth to convey! But all that means is that you do
have a lot of time to decide exactly what your priorities are when you no longer have a mandatory work schedule set by an
employer."
Henry Clark, 2007
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"Retirement is quite a bit an individual thing. There are some commonalities, but there are no
cookie cutter rules for being retired. Start thinking early about how you want to live life. One
has to consciously decide how to do things or how not to do them because many times the American frame of mind is more
concerned with doing (i.e., having a career) than with being. [However], you don't have to be doing something
career-related to feel good. When retirement is viewed in this way, it is an incomplete concept."
Robert E. Coffey, 2006
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"Find the time to take care of yourself and maintain your health. Maintain multiple interests;
don't just sit around and watch TV. Give of yourself to others to make a difference."
Janet Eddy, 2007
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"Stay active! Just because you may be older doesn't mean you can't do anything
anymore. Be optimistic and take advantage of the opportunities that come your way. Now that
you are retired you have more time to do what you want to do, and taking advantage of those opportunities allows you
to enjoy learning more."
Frances Feldman, 2006
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"Plan! Whether it is three months, six months, a year, or whatever, sit down and really look at your
budget. You have to be able figure out what your income and budget look like on paper versus what you can
actually live on. You have to look at what is really important to you and 'prioritize' your
expenses.
"Don't worry about filling your time because this will happen naturally."
Carole Gustin, 2006
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"Keep physically and mentally active. Never fully retire! Retirement is a great time to pursue hobbies,
travel, and anything you always wanted to do but for which you never before had the time. It also is a great time to
serve as a mentor for younger colleagues and to enjoy one's children and grandchildren."
Hal W. Hendrick, 2008
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"Keeping busy is the secret to a successful retirement."
Robert B. Kaplan, 2009
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"Retirement can offer unexpected opportunities for the use of your skills."
Robert Penny, M.D., 2007
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"1. Tennis shoes are far more comfortable than high heels.
2. An exercise routine only works if you actually do it. 'Routine' is the keyword.
3. In retirement, it is even easier to gain weight.
4. Try to leave your work in good shape and at a good time, and then drop the guilt about what you
failed to accomplish.
5. Your best paying job is probably the one you have. If you think you will be short of money,
considered negotiating for part-time or for phased retirement. It might even mean making your present job a place you
want to stay forever.
6. I am only unhappy with retirement .001 percent of the time, which is less than I was unhappy with
work.
7. Retiring was like graduation from high school—I was off on an adventure with definite plans
for the next four years, only thank goodness I wasn't 18 again.
8. What I did part-time while working is mostly what I do now full-time.
9. Setting goals keeps you from spending too much time working jigsaw puzzles.
10. Retirement is like estate planning—you can invest your time and effort in those things you
truly value, with the return being joy and fulfillment.
11. Although I am routine-adverse and get bored quickly, a degree of routine holds life together.
12. To my surprise, I discovered that all my friends lived miles away—so I met my neighbors, took
up a class at a community center, and joined a lifelong learning group at a university near my home.
13. Closets, once straightened, just get cluttered again.
14. Some people retire because they have to, perhaps for health or caregiving reasons, and they adjust to
their situations and become either more loving or more embittered. Some people retire because they are bored
with their job, or hate commuting, or dislike their boss, or are just tired. These people often wish they were
back at work in 6 to 12 months. Some people retire because there is something they need time to do that will
bring more fulfillment than their job. May each of you retire TO . . . rather than FROM . . . .
15. Age happens." Betty
Redmon, 2007
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"A great lesson learned from this experience is: Don't say 'Yes' to too many requests for volunteer
services."
Gilbert B. Siegel, 2007
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"Be prepared to be busier than you were before you 'retired'."
Robert A. Stallings, 2006
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"I haven't found anything wrong with retirement, and the transition was easy. As long as you have enough
money and guaranteed health care, I think you're ready to retire, if you wish."
Joe Titone, 2008
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"Be prepared to be busy! If you don't want to give up your work once you leave the University,
take some time to think about how you want to spend your retirement and what you can still do to remain active in
your field." Robert Tranquada,
2006
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"Keep a positive attitude and count your blessings every day. Find a place to volunteer, doing what you love
most. Develop civility toward one another, and be kind. It doesn't cost you any money to smile."
Mitzi Tsujimoto, 2008
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"Don't worry too much about how you will stay busy, that will come too easily.
Maintain a sense of humor and a positive attitude in good and not-so-good times, and don't be overly
concerned about 'Growing Old.' There will be days when you are the dog and days when you
are the hydrant. In preparation for retirement, it is vital to plan your financial future as far
in advance as possible."
Ron Violette, 2008
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"It's difficult to give general advice about retirement. I haven't really retired
yet, but I suppose what I would say is keep your mind and spirit open to new possibilities, don't be
afraid to take some chances and embark on new adventures, pay attention to those that you love, and
contribute to the betterment of the world, especially the lives and futures of children. Oh yes,
and have some fun while you're at it."
Curren Warf, 2009
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Copyright © 2007–2009
USC Emeriti Center
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