The 'unretirement years'

Retirement is looking mighty different these days. So much has changed in the last few decades. Not only are we living longer so we have more years to be retired, but retirement savings and pension plans aren't what they seemed to be.

We can either decry the situation and grumble about how unfair life is. Or we can look at these changes to see the adventure and possibilities embedded in them. Yes, I'm fully aware that this depends completely on our health and well-being. For those who struggle with poor health, engaging in a new career isn't possible. And dealing with illness and fewer financial resources can be scary, there's no doubt about it.

But if you don't face health issues, retirement years could be a time to take on new dreams and challenges. It's a time to look at your bucket list or those dreams you kept in your pocket for decades while you worked at the job or career that simply paid the bills. What had you always wanted to do and never could? Can you do that now? Are there parts of it that could take expression now in your retirement years? What do you love doing that could be turned into a part-time (or full-time) encore career?

There are many resources and groups out there these days, too. Simply Google "second or third careers" or "encore career" and see all the resources that pop up. Many are calling these the "Unretirement years." So many options exist—and who knows, perhaps there's something calling your name that no one else has even thought to try yet. This is a time for exploration—a time to brainstorm all the possibilities. Go ahead—have some fun with it! And if you haven't yet retired but look forward to it, you can start dreaming now.