Retirement will be most successful if you take some time and do some planning. This is true whether you stop working completely or adjust responsibilities to have more flexibility.
Like every phase of life, big decision, or major transition, planning helps navigate the expected and provide the flexibility to negotiate the unexpected.
What is Retirement Planning?
When you search using terms like ‘retirement planning’ the items listed are almost solely about financial planning. There are numerous large companies, small companies, and individuals offering assistance in making financial decisions that will enable the retirement you desire.
Financial planning includes amount of funds available, timing of fund use, anticipated monthly budgets, and a diversified portfolio. (And more I’m sure; this is definitely not my area of expertise).
Succession planning is a key part of preparation to leave or reduce time at your workplace. You want to be sure what you have worked so hard to build or support will be left in capable hands.
Family care is another element of retirement planning. You are assuring the house, the car(s), the major purchases are updated and ready for the days of a more ‘fixed’ income. Legally, this is a good time to assure wills, estates, powers of attorney, and other legal documents are updated.
What ELSE is Retirement Planning?
At Retirement Wellness Strategieswe are focused on your health and wellness as you approach retirement.
‘My doctor already does that,’ you might be saying. Your doctor is certainly doing some of that. Your doctor also has a very limited time with you and is frequently using that time to address issues of the moment. Healthcare in general is mostly reactive. We want to be proactive!
Retirement Wellness Strategies is
- PROACTIVE
- RISK REDUCING
- As interested in your MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, SPIRITUAL, and SOCIAL health as your PHYSICAL health.
Retirement is a major life transition. Far too many men in leadership positions are stumbling as they leap the chasm from a very full, rewarding, consuming work life to retirement.
These stumbles are leading to rapid health decline, failed marriages, and suicide. This DOES NOT need to happen.
Let’s plan these critical elements of your retirement today.
Call us at 410-472-5078, e-mail michelle@retirewellness.com, or learn more at www.retirewellness.com.
BIBLICAL APPLICATION
Part of retirement planning is spiritual health planning. How much emphasis have you placed here so far?
How are you managing these complex times in our world? They shouldn’t come as a surprise, but that doesn’t make them easy. Have you found that deep down peace and joy of Christ? That is a beautiful thing and worthy of sharing!
1 Peter 3:15 NIV
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
Matthew 24:44 NLT
You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.
When I think of preparation, nothing excites me or sobers me like preparation for eternity. I love trying to imagine Heaven, eternity, God’s omniscience. Do you ever try to wrap your mind around those concepts? I can’t wait to experience them in person!
In Matthew 24, Jesus gives insights into the times before His return. There will be a lot of people trying to deceive us. There will be wars and famine and earthquakes. I can think of a lot of examples of each of these things right now.
In 2 Timothy 3 there is a description of the difficult times for Christians in the last days.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT
You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!
In Jude, who was Jesus’ brother, we learn more about the last times.
Jude 17-21 NLT
But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ predicted. They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them.
But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit,[a] and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.
I read in a devotion recently that we prepare in three ways:
- Prepare yourself
- Prepare those close to you
- Prepare your church and community
How are you preparing for difficult times ahead? How can we build a more solid network of believers to support each other through these times? Once disaster strikes is not the time to develop a plan.
Blessings,
Michelle
yourhealthandsoul 