In the previous two issues we looked at how attitudes towards retirement and aging have changed since the “46ers,” aka the first baby boomers, left the workplace. We also took a look at some books on these topics that are specifically targeted at this demographic. We noted that over the period of the last several years, rather than looking at retirement as bringing about significant and not always welcome changes, the current cohort of retirees are embracing all that the third age offers.
Not only are there multiple books on the subject of this new age, but magazines, local and national, also cater to the over fifty demographic and many websites help the newcomer learn what’s out there. In this issue we will look at what other resources are available as you begin to plan your retirement adventure.
There are several magazines specifically for people who are either contemplating retirement or are already retired, but most are aimed at a readership in a specific geographic area.
A particularly good one, despite its rather off-putting name, is BC’s Senior Living Magazine. This free magazine is available in libraries and other outlets in the Vancouver area and on Vancouver Island and is available to a wider audience online. seniorlivingmag.com
On the national scene there are two that are available by subscription or online.
Zoomer Magazine is a glossy magazine that calls itself the “lifestyle magazine for boomers with Zip!” Its target audience is the 45+ demographic, although many of the articles could appeal to a younger reader. The magazine is relatively gender neutral, printing articles that would be of interest to both men and women. The cover stories in each issue deal with a wide range of topics. One of these stories always profiles a celebrity, or as in a recent issue, a group of people who have made a difference either in their particular field of endeavour or the country at large. There are regular features about travel, health and financial matters; as well as a section on advocacy issues by CARP (Canadian Association of Retired Persons).
(On a personal note we can attest that the magazine’s writers do in depth research as we have been contacted and interviewed at length for articles about the challenges of retirement and our book Transition to Retirement.) zoomermag.com
Good Times has been around for a number of years and is published eleven times a year. It is a full colour lifestyle magazine specifically aimed at retirees, featuring profiles of what they refer to as retirement role models as well as columns on food, health, finances, travel and seasonal articles about fashion. While many of its columns are written by regular contributors, this magazine’s travel articles are written by a variety of people from the targeted demographic. The articles are informative and make for an easy, enjoyable read. The magazine is intended for the over 50 market and has an Ontario bias in some of its specific lifestyle issues. goodtimes.ca
There are several good websites, including those of all the major Canadian banks, that provide useful information and contacts for retirement preparation.
The Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) website gives up-to-the minute information on just about every topic related to retirement. It is worth a perusal and if you join the association you will be eligible for discounts on a variety of products and services as well as a subscription to Zoomer Magazine. carp.ca
The federal government has a good website that provides everything you need to know about its pensions. This includes the Canada Pension Plan, how to get a Statement of your Contributions to date and other information about what you and your family are entitled to in terms of overall pension benefits. servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/lifeevents/retirement
The Retirement Planners Association of Canada (RPAC) is an association of professionals who work with mid-life adults on financial and lifestyle plans for retirement. This website tells you what particular area each planners’ practice or service focuses on and helps you locate a retirement planner in your area. retirementplanners.ca
The Financial Advisors Association of Canada website provides general information about the Canadian financial planning industry. It also gives good advice about how and where to find a financial advisor in your area. http://advocis.ca
As you leave your primary career, your plans for the future might include using your well honed skills to start a new business or service. Or you might decide to volunteer or continue working in some education oriented field as a way of using your skills to open some interesting doors. Following are some websites that will give you food for thought as you chart your own unique retirement course.
Established over forty years ago, Canadian Executive Services Overseas has evolved into an organization that provides a broad spectrum of economic and social expertise to developing communities overseas and aboriginal communities in Canada through its volunteers. All volunteers pay an annual fee (currently $100) but their expenses are paid for the term of the assignment that generally do not last for more than a few weeks. ceso-saco.com
The Canadian International Development Agency is a multi-faceted organization whose mandate is to aid people living in poverty in various parts of the world. There are several windows of opportunity for former educators who are able to commit to a two year assignment to be mentors and advisors. www.cida.gc.ca
World University Service of Canada’s slogan is “Education changes the world.” It is made up of professionals, institutions and volunteers who bring the knowledge and skills necessary for a marginalized community to solve problems and move forward. Opportunities to work or volunteer are available in Canada and overseas with assignments usually being for one or two years. wusc.ca
Teachers Without Borders’ aim is to advance the welfare of people through professional development throughout the global community by providing hands on and virtual help. There are two categories, internship and volunteer. Some of the internships are undertaken in a specific location; but many are done online. All the volunteer opportunities are short term and often involve helping with translations of curriculum, organizing and/or facilitating training workshops. teacherswithoutborders.org
International Supply Teachers provides substitute teachers for international schools all over the world. This supply list is for educators (K to 12 and specialists) who are willing and able to do short term assignments at short notice. The brainchild of two former colleagues with international teaching experience, this service has been successfully providing international TOCs for over 10 years. teachersonthemove.com
If you are retired, but still wanting to work, although not as an educator, you might want to consider one of two websites that post various jobs for retired people. The sites are intended to help older people find positions that suit their skills and experience. retiredworker.ca simplyhired.ca (put in the keywords: retired people)
With the huge boomer cohort continuing to move forward you can be assured that there will be more interesting and innovative resources. However, a word of caution. Everyone’s retirement is unique and only you can chart the course it will follow. Trying to take in all the information available can be somewhat daunting and confusing, so use the resources that we have brought to you as a starting point. Be selective—choose a book that is easy to read and speaks to you, a website that is user friendly and answers your questions. Do what is right for you and your planning, and your retirement will move forward smoothly.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Enise Olding and Carol Baird-Krul
Carol and Enise (info@drassociates.ca) are the creators of a series of pre-retirement and post-retirement planning workshops: Transition to Retirement: The Uncharted Course©, Recently Retired: Charting a New Course© and Ideas… Enhanced and Advanced©, and authors of Transition to Retirement: The Uncharted Course. Previous articles on retirement may be viewed in back issues at CanadianTeacherMagazine.com.
This article is from Canadian Teacher Magazine’s Jan/Feb 2013 issue.
