Saturday, December 15, 2012

MY DEFINITION OF RETIREMENT


MY DEFINITION OF RETIREMENT
By
VIKRAM KARVE


I “retired” from the Navy more than 2 years ago.

During this delightful period of “retired life” I have realized that retirement means leisure with security.

Yes, there are two essential attributes of retirement:

1. Leisure
2. Security

When you retire you have plenty of LEISURE.

However, in order to enjoy this leisure you must have SECURITY.

The term “security” includes three types of security:

1. Financial Security
2. Physical Security
3. Emotional Security


Financial Security

You cannot enjoy the leisure you will have after you retire if you do not have enough money to live a reasonable standard of life after retirement (and also cater to essential needs like health and other responsibilities towards children etc).

That is why it is important to plan early and save enough money in order to ensure financial security before you retire, especially if you are not going to get a monthly pension. You must also ensure you have a health insurance plan and also some contingency funds to fall back upon in case you fall in some unforeseen financial distress. Financial planning for retirement must take into account increasing longevity especially in women who outlive their husbands in most cases.

Physical Security

You must choose a retirement home which provides you physical security. That is why it is important to choose a peaceful place with good law and order (a pensioners’ paradise) to settle down after you retire. 

A flat in a gated residential complex or in a senior citizens retirement community in a city will give you better security than living in an isolated bungalow in a far-off desolate place. Living in an apartment in a city or in a retirement community will also provide you with facilities and amenities to enjoy a better quality of life after you retire, especially in your old age.

Emotional Security

Gone are the days of the joint family system when a retired person got plenty of emotional security from his children and grandchildren who looked after elders.

Nowadays, if you are married, you have to rely on your spouse alone to give you emotional security.

Sometimes, it is a good idea for a retired person to have a pet, especially a pet dog, who will give you love and emotional support and will also help you keep physically and mentally fit.


Conclusion

So, Dear Reader, plan your retirement well and make sure you have enough security during your retirement to enable you to enjoy the leisure you will get when you retire. This will make your retirement days happy and gratifying and enable you to live a life of dignity in your old age.

Remember my definition of Retirement:

Retirement means Leisure with Security

VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 2012
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work. 
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

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About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer and blogger. Educated at IIT Delhi, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and an anthology of short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional  and academic research papers in journals and edited in-house journals and magazines for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing and blogging. Vikram Karve lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramwamankarve@gmail.com
      
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.


4 comments:

Ashok Vaishnav said...

The security of living through the 'savings' created , before and during retirement remains at the top of the concerens, as much as gainfully 'enjoying' the liesure of retirement with your family.

Ankionthemove said...

Nice Post.My dad's gonna retire after a year,and I am more concerned than he is.We are so used to facilities by govt,that It feels a little odd to live rough it on your own in the outside world.

Vikram Waman Karve said...

@ Ankita - Tell your Dad that he will enjoy retirement. He must learn to live with himself and have a good hobby. Then you have all the leisure to enjoy the feast of life.

Vikram Waman Karve said...

@ Ashok - You are right. One must have enough savings and be financially secure to enjoy retired life.