*At age 79, Atal Bihari Vajpayee** seeks a mandate to continue as Prime Minister for another term.
*At age 75, Lata Mangeshkar** sings for Preity Zinta in Veer-Zaara.
*At age 92, Zohra Sehgal** flits from one continent to another signing new films, TV shows and stage plays.
*At age 58, my dad** is presented his relieving letter with a parting gift at his office farewell party.
**This week, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh directed his Cabinet Secretary to issue a blanket ban on extending service tenures of bureaucrats beyond the retirement age of 60. Ironical isn’t it, since this directive comes from a man who himself takes up a new job at the age of 73.**
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What is this retirement age? Who decides and on what basis? Does it mean that a person ceases to be productive beyond this age?
Cruel as it may sound, this is a necessary social system which is designed in order to:
~ Recycle employment opportunities
~ Induct fresh ideas, energy into existing job functions
~ Relieve existing functionaries from their burden in their advancing years.
While there could be some association between one’s age and capabilities, this may not be the same for everyone. Self employed people do not retire at a fixed age. Merely because there is a policy of retiring people at a certain age does not automatically make you useless beyond that age.
More importantly – at an individual level – retirement forces a situation in which you get an opportunity to step back from your structured routine and mental conditioning and acquire a more wider perspective to life. It gives you **freedom from the tyranny of corporate life.*
Hence, instead of viewing retirement in a negative light, look at it positively.
*RETIREMENT is an opportunity to REASSESS, REINVENT AND REUSE YOURSELF.*
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*It is not easy:*
All those designations, hierarchy, corner cabins, prime parking slots, executive cloak keys etc that you had managed to wangle, are of no consequence now.
All the manipulations and boot-licking seem quite meaningless.
You have to come to terms with your true worth as an individual – not the one associated with the chair you occupied.
The greetings and salaams of subordinates, associates, hangers-on slowly start dwindling, the absence of people coming to you for decisions and advice takes you by shock.
Gradually, this lack of employment could lead to:
~ Loss of self esteem
~ Loss of confidence
~ Deterioration in health
One needs to guard against falling into such emotional traps. While working, you tend to fully occupied mentally, but on retirement there is a sudden mental vacuum. Hence, it is important to be mentally alert and if possible, physically and socially active. Here are some **tips for a fruitful after-life:*
~ Get involved with a social organization.
~ Learn a new theory or skill – astrology, homeopathy, internet, bridge, etc.
~ Learn a new language.
~ Go for health fitness regime in your daily retinue.
~ Turn to spirituality for peace of mind and new meanings to Life.
~ Renew contacts with old school friends.
~ Make phone friendship with them – call up at least once a day to exchange notes. This way you can share your events in life with someone who can act as a bouncing wall for ideas, help solve your problems and as well turn to you for advice.
*Health:*
A combination of advancing years and mental inoccupation is a double whammy for physical health. Make sure you have regular health check-ups so that corrective action can be taken in time.
*Finances:*
~ While some of you may be fortunate to earn a steady income through large investments or pensions, many feel the pinch of the absence of the monthly pay packet. Keep an eye on your bank balance, investments and budget. Keep funds planned for medical bills, travel as well as regular expenses.
~ Keep data and documents regarding your investments, insurance, property etc. handy and accessible.
~ Make a will
*Social:*
Getting involved with a social group committed to a cause will give you a sense of purpose, set goals for you and provide you with a sense of commitment and satisfaction.
*Relationships:*
~ Don’t be a’pile-on’ on your family - they have a life, a speed and interests of their own. But don’t cut off from them altogether as well. Keep yourself updated on who’s doing what.
~ Talk regularly to your grandchildren – or any children from the neighbourhood. That will keep the child in you alive.
~ Talk to your life partner – this is the period of life when you have all the time in the world to do so, and many experiences which you can share and recollect. Help each other in finding a purpose to life.
*Self esteem:*
Now that you no longer derive sustenance from your chair or designation, it is important to preserve that all-important quality – Self Esteem. Making yourself useful, setting new goals and achieving them etc will all help towards this.
*Pitfalls*
Guard yourself from some common pitfalls like:
~ Cutting yourself off from society.
~ Disengaging from family.
~ Being rigid and adamant – take help when required.
~ Becoming a Hypochondriac. Acquiring an encyclopedia of ailments would only lead to a hyperactive imagination which will ultimately result in actual infliction
~ Getting overtly depressed from loss of loved ones. Treat this as part of life and take it in your stride.
~ Waiting for death. Live life till your last day.
*Finally, *
Get inspired by the likes of Khushwant Singh, Zohra Sehgal, JRD Tata who have/ had a zest for life and lived life to the fullest. **Retirement need not be the end of the world, in fact, it could be the Beginning of a New One!*