Letters

Make every moment count during retirement

LETTERS: Whether we like it or not, it's a reality that most of us have to retire. Retirement is often described as a time to enjoy the fruits of your labour. After many years of hard work, we finally get to relax, do the things we like and spend time with our loved ones.

Prior to the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic, travelling to various destinations for holidays would likely be on the top of many people's retirement to-do lists.

But before we enjoy our golden years, we must make sure that we are financially independent. Even when we retire, we still need a source of income.

This could be either a passive income or an inheritance. Indeed, we cannot just live on bread and fresh air. We need money to survive, and more so if we desire to retire comfortably and maintain a certain lifestyle.

The pandemic has also forced many people into a "premature retirement". Even long-term staff have been let go due to companies restructuring or downsizing.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, you may need to start job hunting again or reconnect with contacts from previous years of networking.

However, why is it difficult for retirees to get jobs despite their years of working experience and qualifications? I have first-hand experience with this.

Despite having a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from Universiti Malaya, a Master's in Business Administration from Universiti Putra Malaya, and a Graduate Diploma in Islamic Banking from International Islamic University Malaysia, finding a job during the Movement Control Order was initially still a challenge.

Similarly, those of us who used to have packed schedules may now be thinking about why there are no more calls or invitations to meet-up.

Most of the time, we are under the delusion that other people will notice us and offer us a job, rather than us having to take the first step.

Instead of wondering why other people are not reaching out to us, we should look inward and do a lot of self-introspection.

Truthfully speaking, the employers are the ones who determine our value. For retirees like myself, the best thing we can do is change our mindset.

By changing and adapting our perspective to the current reality, we can find ways to survive in the market.

As for retired folks who are financially secure and have enough funds to tide them over, it would still be beneficial for them to have an outlet to channel their time and energy.

You could fill your time with a newfound passion or interest. Another option would be to devote yourself to a charity cause so you can give back to society and bless others.

Once we have retired, we must make ourselves useful instead of just wasting our time. We all know that death is certain, but we don't know exactly when will be our time to go.

This is a gentle reminder to all of us to make full use of our remaining time on Earth. Make your precious moments count. Make your time useful, meaningful and enjoyable.

TAN CHIN KIAT

Kuala Lumpur


The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times

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