Not necessarily the concept, but the word and the common conception. I hate that there is not a better, commonly-understood word that better describes this next phase of life. When people hear you are retired it is assumed that you now have lots of time, money, and leisure, with no responsibilities. They are actually envious and say things like, “It must be nice”, “I wish I was you”, and “Take me with you”. I can appreciate the sentiment because I was there too. It’s officially Day 10 of my retirement and I must say that it ain’t bad 🙂 There are plenty of things to be accomplished, but they can be done on a different schedule and are allowed to be interrupted by a football game or a good movie on TV without resulting in guilt and angst.

That being said, I have been doing lots of reading on the non-financial aspects of “retirement”, and they all say that the primary pursuit of leisure in retirement leads to boredom, depression, illness, and early death. I love what Mitch Anthony says in his excellent book The New Retirementality…

A weekly schedule that includes time only for yourself is like charting a course bound for desolation of soul and spirit. Humans are designed in such a way that there needs to be some sense of higher purpose––of bringing value to others––in order to feel fulfillment in life.

Words like curiosity, connectivity, challenge, and contributing are hallmarks of a new generation of retirees, who are transforming “retiring” into “refiring” and “reclining” into “refining.”

So staying curious, pursuing connection, seeking challenge, and looking to contribute are the goals we will have in our “refirement“.

If you are within a few years of “refirement”, consider these titles…

• The New Retirementality: Planning Your Life and Living Your Dreams…at Any Age You Want, Mitch Anthony
• Purposeful Retirement: How to Bring Happiness and Meaning to Your Retirement, Hyrum W. Smith
• Keys to a Successful Retirement: Staying Happy, Active, and Productive in Your Retired Years, Fritz Gilbert
• How to Retire Happy, Wild, and Free: Retirement Wisdom That You Won’t Get from Your Financial Advisor, Ernie J. Zelinski