So what is this website all about? Consider it a resource for navigating your “soon-to-be” or “actual” retirement years. Sort of a “purpose in retirement” type of website actually. I don’t work for Social Security, but I am a recipient of one of their monthly checks. This is all pretty new to me and it might be for you as well. I found that by putting some of my thoughts in a 3 ring binder it would help me figure out retirement benefits, things to do and not do and I also tracked who among my friends I could talk to about it (practically nobody is that answer)!
Everyone has a different situation. You may have been previously married. You may be a single person (moi). The details of your actual retirement money is all taken care of with your Social Security account online. Haven’t looked at it yet? I would do so right away!( Go to https://www.ssa.gov) I only saw mine 2 years ago and all was fine – I had put into the system for 30 years which was required. But let’s not talk about money as it’s the only reason to have a chat about retirement.
What is your Purpose now in your 60’s?
Don’t you want to slow down and start enjoying life a bit more? Haven’t you answered to a boss enough? I would think the answer is yes, but maybe not – you may love your current position and your family still depends on you to bring in lots of pay. But again, what do you want?
When you talk to friends some of them just tell you what is expected of them – not what they really want. They may want to take retirement at 67 or even 62 but the pressure to keep working and buying things is too much.
What’s going to be your new Purpose in Retirement?
People now make fun of “bucket lists” but they help to keep you focused on the things you want – not your friends, or your family. Write down how you see yourself in retirement. What will keep your brain active? What fun things have you been putting off? With this website maybe we can encourage you to try new things. A teller at my bank has a husband who worked in construction all his life. Now in retirement he took a part-time job working on the ferry between NJ and DE and he absolutely loves it! His expertise was needed so much he doesn’t miss a day of “work” (in quotes because it is not work to him)!
Sixty Something Life Purpose
You found this website because you are asking the same questions I did in the beginning of my retirement journey. What is my purpose in retirement? Should I take my SSA early? What do the numbers look like if I take it at 62? 67? 70? In many cases we each have to figure out what this looks like for ourselves because we all made different salaries. Who can I talk to about this? What is my purpose in retirement?
Some typical blog posts coming up:
- Tips to be frugal at the grocery store
- People you can talk about this with (some friends don’t care)
- New hobbies to take up to enjoy each and every day without watching the news
- Tech updates to keep you in-the-know
- Property Tax discussions as a Senior (many states have great plans to freeze your taxes at 65)
- How to say no to Children and Grandchildren that just seem to take advantage of your support
- Recipes to Keep your Tastebuds Curious
Growing up in the 60’s – 70’s and now being in my early 60’s, I named the website appropriately for others who are in my same situation – navigating retirement. If you need some answers I may have them here. But remember, I am not an expert in SSA, I’m just experiencing this type of life after working very hard and very long hours for my entire career in sales, marketing and self-employment. Telling myself to relax and take up art classes was a big thing for me and I’m grateful to have slowed down a bit.
Enjoy more of life – especially in early retirement. We don’t know what the future holds for us. Take the time to live a bit more outside those work or volunteer hours.
More to come!
Jan Rossi
Semi-Retired, Hobbyist Painter, Trivia Team Member, Clarinet enthusiast, Part-time Marketing Consultant, Newbie Gardener, Craft Fair Supporter and Pet Owner
Need to reach me or want to advertise on this site? Contact hello@sixtysomethinglife.com