What Makes a Successful Retirement?

It's NOT just about money! Dr. Michael Finke, Texas Tech University, explains what we know from research to answer this question. "Retirement is an abstract concept until it happens. You develop a routine of driving to work, interacting with coworkers, addressing challenges and finishing projects. Then you drive back home again, have dinner, relax, then wake up and go to work. But what happens when you quit your routine? How easy is it to establish new habits and take on new challenges? What do people actually do when they retire? Financial advisors spend a lot of time helping clients become financially prepared for retirement. But retirement isn’t just about money. It’s about using the money to get the most out of a unique life stage that involves a huge increase in free time that needs to be filled, a greater reliance on social interaction, spending a lot more time with your partner (and, unfortunately, without for those who outlive their spouse) and predictable physical and mental decline." Read the details in this well-written discussion to hellp you prepare: http://www.thinkadvisor.com/2014/01/27/what-makes-a-successful-retirement?t=the-retiree&page_all=1