Coping with retirement Jennifer Teague Retirement can't come soon enough for some people, while for others it's a stressful life change. Either way, planning ahead can make the transition easier.

In this article

Preparing for retirement

Pre-retirement courses

People used to stay in the same job for their entire working lives, before collecting a gold watch at 60 or 65 and seeing out their days pottering in the garden or taking up a new hobby. Nowadays the outlook is rather different.

Many people retire early, through choice or because they can't find employment. Increased longevity also means we're living longer after we've stopped working. In general, older people are fitter and better off financially than previous generations.

According to UN projections in 2006, 37 per cent of Europe's population will be 60 or over by 2050, up from 20 per cent in 2000. These over-60s could have another 20 or 30 years ahead of them.

To help you think about what retirement means to you, ask yourself these questions:

• Will I have enough money to live on? What could I do now to ensure I'm financially secure throughout my retirement?
• Am I as active as I could be? Is it time to start a fitness programme so I'm well enough to enjoy my retirement?
• What will retirement mean to my family? Will I enjoy spending more time at home, and will they enjoy having me around more often?
• What will I miss most about work? Should I consider adding to my skills so I'll have a better chance of getting another job if I want one?
• Should I consider changing career? How can I get on a training course or acquire new qualifications?
• Will I be bored? What leisure pursuits do I have at the moment and which new ones would I like to try?
• How do I feel about taking on voluntary work?
• Is this a good time to opt for a major change, such as moving house?

It's worth considering going to a pre-retirement seminar or course. Your employer may be able to send you on one. It will cover lifestyle and health issues, as well as financial and pension matters.

This article was last medically reviewed by Dr Rob Hicks in July 2007.
First published in March 2000.