How to make the most of your retirement

Collaborative Post | Many of us look forward to retirement, but when this time actually comes, it can sometimes be challenging to think of how to fill this time in the most meaningful way. Simply relaxing after decades of hard work does sound good, but after a while, you may find yourself becoming restless and not knowing what to do.
 
Alternatively, you may know exactly what you want to do but not have the means to do it. In any case, it’s important to make the most of your retirement and find true happiness - here’s what you can do to achieve this.

How to make the most of your retirement (Photo by Marc Najera on Unsplash)

Start saving early

Retirement may seem like such a long way away when you’re younger, but age catches up with you very quickly! Before you know it, retirement will be just around the corner, and if you haven’t been saving for your pension, you may not be able to retire with the lifestyle you’re used to.
 
To supplement the State Pension and your workplace pension, you should definitely consider investing in a private pension. With certain private pensions, like those from Wealthify, you may also be able to track down and consolidate your old workplace pensions, allowing you to keep all of your money together. Start saving as soon as possible to give yourself enough time to build up a substantial pension pot!

Get your finances in order

In addition to sorting out your pension, you’ll also need to get the rest of your finances in order before you retire. This will help you live stress-free during retirement as you won’t have to worry about making ends meet.
 
If you have any significant debts, such as a mortgage, it’s essential that you try to finish making repayments as quickly as possible, and certainly before you aim to retire. For more guidance related to your personal circumstances, speak to a financial advisor.

Keep active

The key to ageing well is keeping yourself active. Consistent exercise will prevent diseases and protect your mobility and flexibility, allowing you to continue enjoying all of your favourite activities in your later years. If you’re not used to regular exercise, you can start small with walks in your local park, or you can join an exercise group with a friend to make the idea of exercise more appealing.

Make new friends

Many older people struggle with loneliness, which can have a huge impact on their mental health and quality of life. To avoid this issue and make the most of your retirement, you should consider joining social groups such as book clubs or craft clubs to meet new people, in addition to scheduling quality time with your family and friends. Another idea is to get involved with your local community, such as by volunteering and helping with charity events. This will make you feel more connected to others and more fulfilled.


​During retirement, you’ll suddenly have so much free time to fill. Being able to make the most of this new time is naturally a concern for many people, so try following the advice listed above to enjoy your later years as much as possible.


​Disclaimer: this is a collaborative post