Pre-Retirement Preparation:
Ideally people should give some thoughts to the challenges and changes brought about by retirement about 3 to 5 years prior to retirement date. All the evidence of our work over the past twenty five years suggest people regret leaving the planning stage until just prior to retirement as they lose a valuable opportunity to make some really positive changes. The challenge for progressive employers is to persuade employees that retirement which is 5 years away is not an abstract concept but a very real and live prospect.
Pre-Retirement Initiatives: (3-5 years prior to retirement)
Some companies invite their employees and a spouse/partner (if applicable) to attend a retirement planning seminar five years prior to retirement date. This allows the individual/couple to have a look at the main issues identified for them and gives some useful pointers on how to plan ahead to make the change the most positive experience possible. They are then given an opportunity to attend in the year of retirement a second retirement seminar which acts as a refresher to ensure they are on the right track.
We strongly recommend that where applicable the spouse/partner attend as the changes are as great for them as for the person retiring from the organisation. We also find that where the spouse/partner is female they often see the issues from two perspectives both their own and their partners.
The retirement planning seminar will cover areas such as:
Dealing with Personal Change (relationships, managing time positively suggesting options for hobbies/interests/etc. general tips on looking after ones health, and putting in place a financial structure)
Taxation System: outlining how the system works and ensuring that people maximise their personal situation and don't overpay tax.
Financial Planning: looking at how best to maximise AVC options, how to make your money work for you by asking the right questions of the banks and other financial institutions, explaining how the most common products work and their pros and cons.
Social Welfare System: examining what people have paid over the years, how to ensure they don't lose out on any benefits and how to claim your entitlements.