Retirement Surprises

A basic question is what can we do to prepare for the unexpected so that we can continue to live our current lifestyle during retirement? There are so many possibilities for disruption. And, these disruptive influences can come from a variety of sources, beyond simply financial implications. They can readily include medical, marital events, and dealing with dependent children. It so very critical to create that plan for retirement. Not only will that plan keep you active, allow you to pursue your passions, encourage self-reinvention and happiness, but also it will assist you in preparing for the unexpected. By nature, we may assume that surprises during retirement are of a negative nature. However, surprises that start out negative can readily lead to positive changes.

In "The Predictable Surprise", Sylvester J. Schieber shows that forewarnings of the coming retirement crisis have been apparent for decades, but we have never mustered the political will to address the problem. This book explains how we have gotten into the retirement predicament and where we can go from here.

Join this informal kitchen-table conversation for some great insights on retirement. Listen in on discussions by people just like you regarding optimal ways to plan for retirement. Consider their wise reflections on making a smooth transition into retirement. And put it all to use in planning the retirement that’s right for you. Most people long for retirement. But once they get there, many of them discover that it's not as wonderful as they had imagined. Andy Bertram is a case in point. At 52 he left his job in the finance industry and headed south for a life of sailing — and was surprised to find himself bored out of his skull. Back home, he talked to others who had retired and to their medical and financial advisors and found that many retirees — even those with impeccably planned financial resources — had experienced similar problems in adjusting to their new status. Now, in this entertaining and informational book, he and his friend Larry Solway share these conversations — conversations that will help you see the need for self-knowledge, purpose, and fulfilling relationships in planning and living a great retirement.

Rousell examines the rich and complex nuances of the science of surprise and shows us how we can use it strategically to enrich lives. Random events transform us. After studying formative events, moments that define us, for over three decades, Michael Rousell discovered that most of them took place during a spark of surprise. This breakthrough launched a fascinating journey from neuroscience to stand-up comedy. Rousell draws on research from a wide variety of brain science disciplines (cognition, motivation, neuroscience, psychology, artificial intelligence, persuasion, evolution, and learning), then examines those who already use surprise strategically (comedians, film directors, entertainers, magicians, and novelists). This examination illustrates the hidden, yet critical features inherent in surprise, while demystifying the complexities. Surprise evolved as a mechanism to instantly change our beliefs. Rousell shows how surprising events produce invisible influence because they open a window to spontaneous belief change with no warning or conscious awareness. You’ll see how seemingly minor features of surprise create profound differences and can be used to strategically enrich lives, create positive mindsets, and maximize influence.

When Every Day Is Saturday is a how-to book to plan for a happy, meaningful retirement. The Grace Retirement Inventory sets a fast opening pace and prompts thoughtful, focused questions about retirement. Some retirees seem to have failed badly while many others appear to be happy and successful. What was their guide to success? Dr. Grace's research with seven hundred retirees differentiates this book from all others. Six central themes are developed: 1) freedom and leisure, 2) financial independence, 3) separation from work, 4) family and friends, 5) health, and 6) helping others. Readers evaluate their attitude toward each of these themes and this simple measure predicts their happiness in retirement. The writing is concise, interspersed with comments and stories from the lives of current retirees. Inclusion of these vignettes adds hope, inspiration, and a dash of realism to what lies ahead for every working adult.

According to retirement expert Donna McCaw, successful retirees approach their retirement the way an experienced outdoors person approaches a canoe trip, by over-preparing and then going with the flow. Like a canoe trip, retirement can be both safe and exciting, and retirement expert Donna McCaw shows readers how in this practical and entertaining book, now fully revised and updated. It’s Your Time focuses on retirement advice for Canadians, but its principles are applicable to retirees anywhere. McCaw shows how you can plan the retirement that fits you — how you can enter this fulfilling time of your life with confidence and flexibility, prepared for some pleasant surprises. It's Your Time gives you a heads-up in the areas of: GETTING STARTED — The emotional issues you need to consider before you make the leap into retirement FINANCES — The importance of knowing the financial facts about retirement, including your current worth and your cash flow now and during the stages of retirement HEALTH AND WELLNESS — The top health issues affecting women and men and how to prevent or manage them; understanding the aging process; the financial considerations of health care LIFESTYLE — Passive vs. active leisure and the value of volunteering RELATIONSHIPS — The importance of keeping in touch with family and friends and understanding the next steps for your relationships TRANSITIONS — Considerations for managing the first year of retirement; how some retirees "revocate, relocate, and regenerate”; the secrets of the successfully retired The author concludes her one-stop guide with a section of resources to help you plan for what is truly your time, your retirement years. Donna McCaw (B.A., M.Ed.) retired at age fifty-four after a career in education and counseling at high schools and colleges and with Adult Education programs. She is a speaker and workshop presenter on Retirement Readiness, Retirement Planning for Women, and other topics. Her writing and presentations are straightforward, down to earth, and accessible as well as spirited and fun. Donna lives in Elora, Ontario.

Surprise new retirees with this hilarious and pawsitively adorable gift book full of funny sayings and retirement wishes—a perfect going-away gift for those lucky coworkers, bosses, friends, family, and more! Kick back and relax into full-time retired life with some dogs that already know how to live the good life in this funny, utterly adorable and giftable retirement book. Inside you’ll find hard-working (and hardly working) pups to inspire, admire—and just plain make you laugh—paired with quotes and sayings all about making the most of the best years of your life, including: - “No work and all play.” - “Life’s a beach when you’re retired.” - “What do you call a person who’s happy on a Monday? Retired.” - “No more alarm clocks, just dream schedules.” Shake off those sad goodbyes with this beautiful, hardcover collection of dogs on permanent vacation—the perfect gift for the new retiree in your life!

The bestselling author of You Can Retire Sooner Than You Think and host of Money Matters reveals the 10 essential habits for a rich, rewarding, and blissful retirement. What does it take to have a truly happy retirement? Is it money? A mortgage-free home? An active social life? A long-lasting marriage—or maybe a new one? Finance expert, author, and radio host Wes Moss asked more than 2,000 of the nation’s happiest retirees to find out—and their answers may surprise you. Through a series of revealing surveys, Moss noticed a pattern of distinct, recognizable habits that the happiest retirees shared, from the simplest of lifestyle choices to the smartest of financial strategies. These are the kinds of habits anyone can develop—the perfect road map to a healthy, secure, and joyful retirement—sooner. Whether you’re already retired or just starting to make plans, these 10 simple actions and attitudes can make a profound difference in every aspect of your life. The book is packed with hard-won wisdom and invaluable advice on how to make little changes now that will have the biggest impact later. It’s filled with proven ways to develop smarter habits with: Money (“Think river, not reservoir”); Family (“Get your kids off your payroll”); Housing (“Live mortgage-free”); Investing (“Be a tomorrow investor”); Spending (“Be pound wise—so you can be penny foolish”); and much more. With these 10 transformational habits, you can stop obsessing over money, stay socially connected, and start enjoying your new life—as the happiest retiree on the block.

PRE- AND POST-RETIREMENT PLANNING THAT MAKES SENSE GETTING STARTED IN A FINANCIALLY SECURE RETIREMENT If you want to make the most of your retirement years, you have to seriously think about the retirement lifestyle you want and the path that will get you there. In order to do this, you need reliable retirement information that will allow you to properly chart your course. Nobody knows this better than author Henry Hebeler, who retired from the corporate world more than fifteen years ago--and quickly discovered that much of the retirement planning advice available wasn't helping people accomplish their goals. Now, with Getting Started in a Financially Secure Retirement, Hebeler shares his experience in this field with you and reveals what it really takes to achieve the retirement you want. Written in a straightforward and accessible style, Getting Started in a Financially Secure Retirement dismisses the assumptions that many popular retirement planning methods make and addresses some of today's most important retirement issues, including everything from planning with realistic economic inputs to neglected subjects such as replacement budgeting, reverse dollar cost averaging, and the need for resiliency when encountering surprise events. Filled with in-depth insights, practical advice, and helpful retirement planning tools, Getting Started in a Financially Secure Retirement will allow you to apply Hebeler's proven principles to your own specific situation--whether you're already retired or still working--and make more informed financial decisions as you plan for the years ahead.