thoughts on the news of the day: retirement

hmmm…..

            I went to lunch yesterday after church with an older couple (and by older, I mean 90+ range) and a friend of theirs who was visiting our worship service.  Their friend was right at retirement age and wanted to know if pastors had any rules for retirement.  He said that all of his life he had guidelines to go by, but there didn’t seem to be any for retirement.  I said I would think about that question, do some research on it and get back to him.

            Googleing “rules for retirement” doesn’t help a whole lot.  The majority of the sites listed are designed to sell investment programs. They suggest rules for money management, not “life after” management.  And of course, good management of resources is an important part of retirement, but it is not the only consideration.

            I thought about our congregation and the plethora of long time retired members.  It seemed to make sense that studying their lives would be a good way to establish some rules for retirement.  The most prevalent factor I saw in these retirees was their desire to serve.  One especially spry 95 year old is still volunteering at our church every Thursday.  Another 90 year old serves as a hospital volunteer.  Both of these ladies seem to have gotten something right.  We also have a 91 year old retired pastor in our midst who still makes hospital visits and jumps in whenever needed. 

            So it seems to me that the secret to a successful retirement is to be of service to someone else.  That feeling of being needed can’t be replaced by money, gifts or status.  It will keep us healthy emotionally, mentally, spiritually and even physically. 

            Do something today for someone else and look forward to a long and rewarding retirement.

            hmmm…..