Joni McGill retired last year after working in the medical industry for more than 40 years. “I felt a great sense of accomplishment because I was able to finish the job exactly as I had envisioned,” she says.Chad Hipolito/Globe and Mail
In Tales from the Golden Age, retirees talk about spending, saving, and whether life after work is living up to expectations.
Joni McGill, 67, Sydney, British Columbia
I retired in January 2023 at the age of 65 after a 40-year career in the healthcare industry. He spent the first 30 years in private industry in Montreal and the last 10 years with the British Columbia Ministry of Health in Victoria. My last position was Director of Physician Compensation. It was a stressful job, especially during the pandemic, where the pressure and pace increased significantly.
I didn't really have any hobbies or goals for my retirement date, so I thought I'd be working forever. But when my husband and I started planning our vacation in January 2022, he suggested we travel for a month. I have never had so much time off before. We are both scuba divers and spent a month on Bonaire, a Dutch island municipality in the southern Caribbean.
It wasn't until I took my vacation that I realized how exhausted I was, both mentally and physically. I felt great and realized, “Oh, this is how I'm supposed to feel.” I also thought that being tired all the time might not be good for me or the people I work with. So when I returned to work, I told my boss that I would be leaving after 11 months. For me, it was very important to ensure a smooth transition. I was able to complete the work exactly as I had envisioned, and I felt a great sense of accomplishment.
Retirement was not what I had originally planned. Unexpectedly, my husband had knee replacement surgery the week I left, so I was very involved in his care and recovery for the first month. I was grateful that I could focus on him.
But when he got better, I realized there wasn't enough to do in retirement. It was like going from full speed to full stop. I was thinking about leaving my job and was confident that I would figure it out, but I was a little lost for the first few months. I started to worry that maybe I had made a mistake. But then gradually started various activities.
It took me about 6 months to get used to life after retirement. I am currently a member of two walking groups, take regular fitness and yoga classes, and play mahjong. I also expanded my social circle while maintaining connections with my former colleagues. I also volunteer as a patient partner. This means representing patient communities and helping healthcare organizations make policy, service delivery, operational plans and decisions. This “work” may include a small honorarium. It's always nice to get paid to provide support in your area of expertise.
My husband and I are both conscious about our spending after retirement. We were both previously married and went through difficult divorces that took a huge financial toll on us. So over the years there have been many discussions, plans, endless spreadsheets, and meetings with financial advisors. We learned as we went, updated our plans as circumstances changed, seized opportunities that presented themselves, and made good life decisions.
My husband once asked our financial advisor if any of his clients were running out of money for retirement. The advisor was surprised by the question and said I thought it was a good question, but no one ever said that. For both of us, it gave us a sense of security.
One of the biggest challenges for me after retirement was to stop feeling like I had to be doing something productive all the time. Sometimes all you need to do is focus on enjoying the moment. I can't think of anything I would do differently. When my husband and I look back on our life together, we often comment, “We did just fine.” It feels good.
My advice to those nearing retirement is to follow your dreams while you're young and healthy, take time to travel, and try new things. Don't wait until you retire. Too many people take their health for granted and don't truly understand how precarious it is and how age affects energy levels and often performance.
As told by Brenda Bowe
This interview has been edited and condensed.
Are you a Canadian retiree and interested in discussing what life is like after you stop working? We are looking for people to participate in the “Story of the World'' special feature. If you are interested in being interviewed for this feature and agree to use your full name and be photographed, please email goldenageglobe@gmail.com. Please include some details about how you saved and invested for your retirement and what your current lifestyle is like.
