Life will certainly change and it is useful to plan how you will adapt both physically and emotionally to these changes.

The routine of your daily life will inevitably alter, whether one or both of you are retiring.

If just one of you is retiring you may find yourself with a day to fill, having been used to the daily social bustle of work.

If both of you are retiring you will be spending more time together than you have at any other stage of your life.

You may have family commitments that you have to factor into your plans – children, elderly parents who may have expectations of you spending more time with them now you are retired or may increasingly need your support.

There will be financial considerations to take into account as you adjust to living on a pension.

You may need to learn to use a computer so as to keep in touch with family and friends.

Health may be an issue and supporting one another to find ways to stay healthy and fit will be important.

Roles and responsibilities within your relationship may change depending on your circumstances – if one of you is retiring the other may assume that you will pick up certain domestic duties that they have previously undertaken.

Social life, community or voluntary commitments and hobbies will need planning.

Set aside time together several months before the retirement is due to take place in order to identify all the factors that you may need to take into account when the time comes.

Written by Helen Whitten and Keren Smedley

This article was created: 20 July 2006.
This article was last edited: 13 November 2006.

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