Retirement can mean many different things to many people. For some it can be a positive definition, for other, a negative meaning.

DSC06235Being productive in retirement may be very important to some people. There may be a personal need to not be viewed as purposeless or lazy just because they have stopped working. Some could consider retirement life as not contributing to society and would want to remain working, regardless of financial needs. Continuing work may also be out of personal boredom or lack of personal hobbies.

There is also the more common definition of retirement – to stop working and start relaxing. This could mean playing golf daily, reading books, or to take up hobbies such as gardening or crafts.

In planning for retirement one should have a clear personal definition of retirement.

To some working until you die is an extreme definition. To others the last thing they want to be doing is to be working. There is no right or wrong definition of retirement but having a personal definition well before you retire will make the transition into your retirement life much smoother.