It is inevitable that one day all of us will retire from whatever profession we have spent the majority of our lives in.  Whether you are self employed or work for a big corporation, retirement is something that will come and can have a big impact on one’s life.  It seems like a day we should all look forward to, but the reality is that many are not ready financially or mentally to deal with retirement.

Many people believe that there are different stages to retirement, and these may differ depending on who to talk to.  Most people agree that there is a pre-retirement stage, which occurs a few years prior to retirement and involves realizing that the time is growing closer and closer.  Often times people really begin to realize that they may not be ready or start to get anxious and worry. The next stage is the final retirement, which often involves a party and celebration.  It is often enjoyed, as the realization of what just happened has not set in.  The next stage can be compared to a marriage honeymoon, as the retiree will really be enjoying life by taking trips, spending time with family, or accomplishing other tasks that were not done because of work.  The stage following is the reorientation stage, where the high has worn off and reality really begins to set in.  This is the stage that involves boredom, loneliness, and maybe depression.  The final stage is reconciliation, which is where the person has finally come to terms with reality and begins to enjoy retirement once more.

These stages are not the same for everyone, as things such as money and quality of life can effect retirement as well.  Retirement should be a special time, and if planned right, can be one of the best times of our lives.