Are you retired? Thinking of retiring? Once they hit their 60’s, many begin to feel like they want to eliminate the hustle and stress of employment in favor of a more laid-back lifestyle. In fact, a study from the University of Sydney’s School of Public Health indicates that there are physical and mental benefits to retirement including an increase in physical activity levels and reduction in smoking. Reductions in stress levels are also beneficial, as is the free-time that retirement provides to do the things you’ve always wanted to do. Here are some ways to know it is time to retire:

Your finances are in order
If your savings can support your lifestyle for 20+ years, you are likely well-prepared for retirement. Necessities like food, utilities, hobbies, entertainment, and medications should be factored in. Long term care insurance is also a wise investment and something else to consider when figuring your yearly expenses. It is especially useful if you find yourself wanting/needing to make a move to a retirement community.

Your spouse agrees
Often times, couples disagree about timelines and goals for retirement. One may want to keep working while the other may be ready to be done. One may want to move to a lake in the woods, another to a big city on the coast.
Make sure you and your spouse are on the same page so that you can retire as a team.

You have enough to do to keep you engaged
For some, spending all day doing nothing is not the ideal retirement arrangement. Take stock of your interests and hobbies and determine first if you can a?ord to continue doing them once you retire. If so, start planning with your spouse so that you don’t get caught in a retirement rut. Mix it up a bit – remember that there is a balance between engagement and relaxation, and that too much of either will likely cause problems.

If you or a loved one have questions about what retirement looks like at Primrose, we would be honored to assist you. Just visit www.primroseretirement.com for more information.