Think Your Retirement Ready? Check Your Social Portfolio First

Scott was eager. He even had numbers written on his truck’s visor that no one, not even his wife, knew what they meant. It was his retirement date. He saved, planned, and dutifully attended all his company’s retirement readiness seminars. Scott was in the zone; he could finally retire financially secure. A Friday, 30 years in the making, finally came. His work buddies threw a party. There was cake, cards, and even a celebratory bottle of whiskey. After a pour or two and promises made by all to get together, Scott packed his box and swiped out of the building for the last time. A year later, Scott admits, “I see them (co-workers) occasionally, less than I thought. Yeah, lots of new faces, you know. It’s hard to keep up with the conversation and what’s going on when you are not at the plant and know who is doing what.”

We often look at retirement as leaving work, but we don’t often think ahead of what else we might be leaving behind. Our work lives provide more than income or, for some, even a sense of purpose; work is also a significant part of how we maintain our social and emotional well-being.