How to Live a Meaningful Retirement

Retirement is a life event that most everyone experiences, across all walks of life and whatever industry in which you work. It is a bittersweet one, though; not only is work and effort replaced rightfully with a time of rest and relaxation, but purpose and activity replaced with freedom – and sometimes, listlessness or even loneliness.

With specific regard to the latter point, loneliness is an epidemic in the UK; over 1.4 million older people across the country feel lonely, according to data from Age UK. This is one part of a much larger equation when it comes to charting a meaningful path through retirement, though. Achieving a fulfilling life in the wake of a successful career can be difficult for some to envisage, but the following points may be useful in helping guide your own thinking on the matter.

Living Comfortably

Retirement is, from a certain point of view, your reward for an extended period of service in your profession or trade. It stands to reason that this reward should incorporate the most comfortable possible style of living, whether that means maintaining or exceeding your current living standards. This is where one of the leading anxieties around retirement comes into focus: money. Even with robust pension schemes and investment programmes, it can be difficult to feel sufficiently prepared for life without a salary. 

An emerging solution for people whose spending power has been diminished is that of the equity release mortgage, which enables retirees over 55 to access some of the value locked into their home. This could give you some immediate spending money for things to make you more comfortable, be they items of assistive furniture, items for personal comfort or even the deposit for a more comfortable house in which to enjoy your later life.

Living Actively

Retirement is absolutely a time for relaxing and enjoying the spoils of your career, but this can all-too-easily give way to a sedentary lifestyle – with impacts on both physical and mental health. As such, staying active is an essential part of building a fulfilling life in retirement.

This could be achieved through simply resolving to go for a walk each day, but you could also fold in your personal interests to ensure you are active and engaged. You could find local community groups in which to socialise, and join in on group activities. You could re-engage with a favourite sport, and join a club for said sport at your local gym.

Living Healthily

Those challenges to health can also be further impacted by other areas of your life, including your diet. Retirement is a better time than any to eat well, but making sure to eat a balanced diet that meets your own needs is crucial. Be sure to stick to a good routine with your eating and exercise too, to set a healthy balance for the years to come.