Our concept of retirement has shifted to a more active lifestyle. We’re living longer, and for some people, we’re retiring at an earlier age.
For these reasons, when I develop retirement plans for clients, I ask about their physical health.
Most people can expect to spend at least 30 years in retirement. The first 10 years tend to be more active than the latter years.
Overall, if they’ve lived a healthy lifestyle, they can expect lower healthcare expenses as they age. However, poor genetics can create an obstacle.
During retirement, you may become more adventurous than you were during your working years.
You may pursue activities that require physical endurance, which can be challenging if you’ve been sedentary for most of your life.
As you think about retirement, list the adventures you’d like to pursue.
Here are some ideas to stretch your imagination and help you begin planning:
Backpack through California’s Sequoia National Park
Climb Mount Kilimanjaro
Cycle Death Valley National Park
Golf the courses on the Robert Trent Jones Trail
Hike the Appalachian Trail
Ice climb New Hampshire’s White Mountains
Kayak the lakes of Yellowstone National Park
Mountain bike in Whistler, British Columbia
Raft the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon
Scuba dive the Blue Hole in Belize
Ski the slopes in Colorado
As you add to your list, evaluate your current physical health.
Consider what you should be doing now to ensure you’ll be physically fit in retirement to tackle your list.
Do you need to build more muscle?
Does your flexibility need improvement?
Do you need to improve your cardio?
It’s never too late to begin getting fit. If you want to be active during retirement, take action now.
Use your adventure list to keep you motivated. If you have the financial means to take some of your adventures now, then do so. It’ll help you stay fit while maximizing life.
(Update to original post from April 27, 2018)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Niv Persaud, CFP®, CDFA®, RICP®, is a Managing Director at Transition Planning & Guidance, LLC. Life is more than money. It’s about living the lifestyle you want and can afford. For that reason, Niv consults with clients on money, life, and work. Her approach capitalizes on techniques she learned throughout her career, including as a management consultant, executive recruiter, and financial advisor. Her services include developing comprehensive financial plans, divorce financial reviews, and retirement plans. Niv actively gives back to her community through her volunteer efforts. She believes in living life to the fullest by cherishing friendships, enjoying the beauty of nature and laughing often — even at herself. Her favorite quote is by Erma Bombeck, “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say ‘I used everything you gave me.’”