It’s a fact that retirement takes conscious effort, and individuals and couples may not be able to do it on their own. The risks of not planning for retirement are real, time-consuming, and can be frightening. Don’t waste the first few, most valuable years simply figuring out what retirement means to you – while also running the risk of depression and isolation.

“The quality of your future will in large part be determined by developing a clear picture of what you want it to be.” Your Retirement Quest by Spector and Lawrence

Planning for this next phase of  life is not simply creating a bucket list of places to go. It’s true that many people plan trips following retirement. Rest and relaxation are a wonderful first step. But constant travel or more than a few months of travel may serve only to delay and distract from the real planning at hand: how to find meaning and purpose outside of your professional life.

The risks of not planning for retirement include:

• Depression
• Divorce and stress on relationships
• Isolation
• Resentment
• Irritability
• Disenchantment

Your bucket list is not a retirement plan