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“People need to plan for retirement. Not just financially, but what you will do to keep your mind and body sharp,” she said. “Think about what is it you are going to do after your cup of coffee and the ‘Today’ show.”
Helen Murphy, an HR supervisor, is preparing for that new life. She’s retiring at the end of December after more than eight years with the city. Then, she’ll have time to do things she’s wanted to do for years.
“I know I’m just buying time ’til I get to do them,” she said.

“There’s so much more to life than work. I enjoy my job. But it’s not the end-all, be-all of my life.”

Murphy, 62, intends to live another 30 years, and she’s happy to leave while she’s still active enough to pursue her interests.

“You should do this while you can still enjoy the fruits of your labor,” she said.

She wants to travel, make homemade pottery again, and spend time with her grandchildren. Murphy, a former third-grade and special education teacher, especially wants to volunteer at elementary schools, tutoring children before they lose hope of learning the basic skills they’ll need for life.

“That’s my heart’s desire,” she said. “And now it’s time.”

Opportunities abound
Not all retirees know the importance of staying involved.

Ken Dychtwald, author of many books on baby boomers and aging, told U.S. News and World Report that in 2003, the average retiree watched 43 hours of television a week. That could help explain why depression is rampant among the elderly.

Retirement is harder for people whose work was their entire life, who didn’t have any passions or hobbies outside their jobs, James said.
Many activities are available to seniors. James advocates volunteer work, because seniors have such a wealth of specialized knowledge.

“Take advantage of organizations and look for opportunities to volunteer at your church or civic groups,” she said.

Or take classes at a local college, perhaps a specialized class like pottery or ballroom dancing. Keeping mentally sharp is as important as staying physically vibrant.

“Try something you never tried before. Maybe you’ll find something you never thought you’d enjoy,” she said.

Murphy is coming back to work part-time. According to an AARP 2004 study, 70 percent of boomers planned to hold a full- or part-time job after retirement. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that by 2012, workers over 55 will comprise 19 percent of the labor force, up from 15 percent in 2003.

Even for people with limited mobility, there are ways to stay connected, James said. “Call a friend.”

“It’s critical to stay involved in something,” Murphy said. “If you think, ‘I’m very tired, I’m going to go home and rest,’ then you’ll keep resting. I don’t think those people live very happily. It’s not as fulfilling as people think.”

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