Retirement is overrated. Here’s what I did instead.
Robyn Lee is in her 70s and lives with two lovable but naughty cats. She has published a book on seniors behaving badly, entitled “Old Age and Villainy”, and considers herself an expert on the subject.
I tried retiring once. It didn't work, for a few reasons. I lived on my own and thanks to an ex who, to put it mildly, was not good with money, I found myself in the position of having to work to supplement the pension. However, I didn't have a problem with that and enjoyed the company of my colleagues for two or three days a week. Plus I enjoyed my job, had a great boss and friendly colleagues. Centrelink was also very helpful. All I had to do was declare the hours worked and income earned each fortnight and my pension was adjusted accordingly.
After a couple of years, though, I became fed up with having to drive into the city, even though it was only for two or three days a week. Traffic, cost of parking and fuel, plus having to figure out what to wear to work, then finally facing the traffic again in the afternoon soon became a chore. Fortunately, because I used a computer at work and had one at home, my boss agreed to me working from home. I was very happy with that as I could work my own hours as long as I worked the agreed number per day. No more dressing up then fighting traffic! Thankfully, my fuel bill was also drastically cut. Better still, in winter I could put the heater on and start work in my pyjamas, dressing gown and slippers, with a cup of coffee to start me off. In summer, I would start work at daybreak, work my agreed hours then have the rest of the day free. What a life and I was paid for it! Of course, the only downside to working from home was that I didn't get to interact with other people. I solved that problem by joining a hobby group and also performing volunteering work one day per fortnight.
Unfortunately not all jobs can be worked from home but if you enjoy feeling useful and like meeting people, what about a volunteering position? Okay, it's unpaid but you do get to meet people such as your co-volunteers or, if you prefer to work somewhere such as one of the many charity op shops, the customers. When living on your own, unless there is family close by or you have a good support network of friends, the danger of becoming isolated and depressed can be a problem for a lot of us. Working or volunteering, even for one day a week, can help prevent that and charities are always looking for volunteers.
One year, I volunteered for a well known charity's annual doorknock fundraising effort. However doorknocking doesn't appeal to everyone and I found I didn't really like it! But the only way to find out whether you are going to like something or not is to have a go.
A couple of years ago, I was successful in attaining my radio operator's licence. The six week course was held by a local marine rescue organisation and involved three hours ne night per week. Having my radio operator's licence meant I could volunteer for the rescue organisation of my choice and the licence is valid for a lifetime.
Another interest for me is animal welfare and at one animal rescue place I could work with either cats or dogs, whatever my preference. These places are so rewarding to volunteers although they do have their heartbreaking moments. My only problem in working in this environment is that I would want to bring all the animals home!
Which brings me to another aspect of animal welfare volunteering. If you are unable, for whatever reason, to have a permanent pet, consider fostering an animal for a short time until a home is found. There's a warning here though, you may become so attached to the animal you're fostering it could end up permanently yours!
Just because we're over sixty doesn't mean our usefulness to society is over. Far from it, a lot of employers are beginning to see the wisdom in hiring older people. We do our job properly, we don't take sick leave unless it's genuine, our child-rearing days are over plus we're very responsible. If you prefer to volunteer, you can chose your days and hours and have a lot of fun as well.
Working or volunteering has benefits for all of us in that it keeps our minds alert, we can make new friends and feel a part of society by doing something we enjoy.
If you have a story to share please get in touch with melody@oversixty.com.au
Related links:
85-year-old Navy veteran learns to tap-dance
Why you should still set an alarm when you retire