The following is the first installment of our Transitioning into Retirement series. This series focuses on interviews with recent retirees in the hopes of demystifying retirement and addressing any concerns that soon-to-be retirees may have about the process.
Rob Neugass just reached an important milestone: his one-year retirement anniversary. After a long and successful career, Rob made the decision to join his wife, Beth, in retirement.
We caught up with the Monmouth County couple to see how their retirement is progressing, if there have been any surprises or challenges along the way, and what advice they have for those considering retirement.
Let’s start with the initial transition into retirement. What was that like for you? What emotions did it stir up, and how did you occupy your time in those first few days and weeks of retirement?
My retirement officially started at the end of March, but I had a brief transition period where I was acting in a consulting role. It allowed me to work fewer hours and I was working remotely. I was so happy to no longer have to endure the daily commute, and I really enjoyed the flexibility that I didn’t have working full-time.
I spent my time then much as I do now. I still get up early every day, although not as early as when I had to commute. I’m physically active every day. Beth had started to hike with a group through Monmouth County Recreation, and we signed up for the weekly hikes, which we do every Monday morning at a different park each week. I run four to five days a week, and cycle one to two days a week. In addition, I try to work out about an hour a day so I can maintain my running fitness. I combine working out with listening to podcasts about a variety of topics which keeps me mentally stimulated.
What were your concerns going into retirement? If you could do it over again, would you change anything about how you prepared for retirement?
Like any major life change, I was concerned, but mainly felt enthused. Beth already was experienced as a retiree. She prepared me by letting me know that all of my problems weren’t magically going away. I felt that I had a good starting point, and that retirement was going to be a work in progress. I had an idea of how I would spend my time, but also made a list of things I might want to look into. The main thing is that I knew I needed to have a little structure for each day.
“One of the nice things about retirement is being able to have another cup or two of coffee and watching the news in the morning.”
How do you currently fill your time? How challenging was it for you to find hobbies, activities or interests that provide a daily sense of purpose?
One of the nice things about retirement is being able to have another cup or two of coffee and watching the news in the morning. I’ve taken the approach that it’s better not to over-program myself, and instead let things happen more organically as I come upon something of interest. I enjoy having flexibility, so over-scheduling would not be desirable for me.
Every Monday morning, Beth and I either go on our hikes with the hiking group or we walk. When the weather is warmer I meet friends on Friday to cycle at Sandy Hook. During the summer I get out early to run before it’s too hot. If I run at the boardwalk, sometimes, I’ll sit on the beach for an hour or two afterwards. I try to do some strengthening and mobility most days as well. Add in a few errands and the day fills up pretty quickly.
I started to act as a mentor to a high school junior through the Alliance For Success Program which is run by Lunch Break. I’m also planning to assist in a youth running program that is run through the Shore Athletic Club. I’ve worked on two occasions at the food bank, Fulfill, that were organized by Zynergy, and I’m interested in doing this on a more frequent basis.
Your wife, Beth, retired a few years prior. What is it like with both of you being retired now? What challenges did that bring up, and how have you navigated them?
There haven’t been any issues to speak of with the two of us being retired. Other than going hiking/walking together, we really do our own things most of the time. Beth is still working part-time, and keeps busy with errands and meeting with her friends. We’re together in the morning and for dinner, but each of us keeps busy separately during the day.
What did you wish you knew going into retirement? What surprised you the most–either positively or negatively?
The one thing that has pleasantly surprised me is that the day goes by quickly. It’s a lot easier to keep myself occupied than I would have imagined. It’s even easier when the weather is nice. I spend as much time outdoors when the weather allows. In the summer, I spend a lot of time by the beach.
“It is important to give a lot of thought beforehand to how you will spend your time once you retire.”
What advice do you have for someone nearing retirement age?
It is important to give a lot of thought beforehand to how you will spend your time once you retire. You don’t have to know how you will fill each day, but should have at least a general idea of what you will do and some things that are of interest that you want to look into, whether it be taking classes, volunteer work, etc.
On the other hand, I don’t think you should put off retiring because you’re worried that you won’t be able to fill all of your time. As I said, I view it as a process. Hopefully, I’ll continue to find new things I want to experience over the next several years.
I think it’s important to make sure you spend some time with people, so you don’t feel isolated. This may be easy for some people, but once you’re not working anymore, you can lose some of your connections. This is one of the things I have to work on.