Although it seems like planning for your golden years can just be number crunching and list making, don’t forget to celebrate the joy and anticipation of embarking on this new chapter together. Planning for retirement as a couple brings both a new set of challenges and an opportunity to grow your partnership in unexpected ways to develop a long-term vision for your future.
Open communication is key for couples developing a retirement vision. You want the most out of your golden years, and for that to happen, you need to discuss your goals and aspirations for the future, when your working days are behind you. Whether that means frequent family meetings, time spent with a financial advisor or vision boards and bucket lists, you’ll want a way to highlight your individual dreams to craft a shared plan.
Make time to reflect on the milestone of reaching retirement as you plan for the adventures that lie ahead. The time you take to visualize, discuss and plan will only enhance your quality of life in the future.
How will you prioritize quality time as a couple? Do you want to travel together and pursue shared interests?
Don’t forget to be patient with your partner. Just as you had to pull together as a couple to navigate parenthood and the empty nest period, this is a new time in your relationship. Give yourself grace and time to adjust. Remember that your retirement as a couple is your own and doesn’t need to mirror any other couple. Do what works for you and your spouse, and when you get stuck on a topic, don’t forget to pray about it. And pray for each other, too!
When you are planning as a couple, the word to remember is: compromise. There are unique considerations and opportunities for retiring couples, but you must make decisions that work for both individuals and as a couple. One of the biggest decisions is to choose a home that suits both partners’ needs and preferences. Maybe you’re one of the lucky couples who already live in a home suited for your golden years, but most people need to make changes. And sometimes those changes can be significant and need to be thought through and evaluated from multiple perspectives.
Start by determining where you want to live. Which serves you best: the bustling city, the quiet mountain town or a retirement community on the river? Then, decide how much space you actually need. Do you prefer separate bedrooms? Will you need an office or spare room? Do you need a craft or hobby space? You also have the opportunity to plan for future health needs like wider doors and ramps for wheelchairs or walkers.
Once you know those details, it’s time to consider the benefits of downsizing or moving to a retirement community with amenities tailored for seniors. When looking at housing options, compare independent living versus assisted living based on needs, and think about transition plans for later years that will make decision making easier on your spouse.
When you explore senior living communities, don’t forget to investigate amenities like maintenance-free living and meal plans. Sure, you may be able to do those things for yourself and your spouse now, but do you want to in the future? Will you want to do yardwork and prepare meals for the rest of your lives together, or would it be nice to eat with friends and neighbors sometimes and take a break?
As you research, read reviews and testimonials from current residents of the community you are considering. Sign up for the community newsletter, and spend time on the website. One important step is to visit the community to decide whether it is a good fit for you as a couple. When you tour, plan to eat in the dining room to get a sense of the food quality and service. Talk with residents about their daily lives and if they are happy with their community. Ask them what they could have done differently to better prepare as a couple.
As you age together, health and wellness will continue to grow as priorities. You’ll want to check your prospective community’s proximity to hospitals, specialists and home healthcare, It will be important to plan for healthcare needs, including regular check-ups and preventive care such as fitness and wellness programs designed for seniors.
As you are making your retirement decisions, we invite you to tour Advent Christian Village. Located in Live Oak, Florida, on the banks of the Suwannee River, we offer a beautiful, serene setting for your golden years together. We are committed to providing a supportive, faith-based environment for seniors, and we provide resources to help our members live their senior years to the fullest. Our senior blog, Village Streams, addresses many of these topics with free articles on budgeting and planning, healthy living, healthcare, assisted living, spiritual life and more. Stay tuned for Your Golden Years Part 2, focusing on the financial aspects of retirement planning for couples.
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