WhatKind Of Retiree Will You Be? (NAPSA)—If you’re like most people nearing retirement, your retirement probably won’t be anything like your parents’ or grandparents’. A new survey finds that a majority of pre-retirees don’t want a relaxing, extended vacation. They plan on remaining active and engaged, even if it means continuing to work. Theold retirement ideal of living out your “golden years” on a golf course is quickly becoming pass. “We’ve entered a new era of retirement,” said Dr. Ken Dycht- wald, a leading gerontologist who conducted the study along with Harris Interactive. “Most people now consider retirement as a second act—time to go back to school, change careers or even fall in love again. The last thing they plan on doing is acting old.” So which typeof retiree are you likely to be? The survey found four distinct types. Ageless Explorers (27 percent of retirees) don’t see retirement as “retirement” at all. They don’t plan to slow down in their retirement, and would rather be busy than bored, even if it means more stress. Some of them even work just for the fun ofit. Comfortably Contents (19 percent) are the traditional retirees enjoying their “golden years.” They would rather be bored than risk being stressed, and are happy finding pleasure in good health, vacations and relaxation. Live for Todays (22 percent) see retirement as a new beginning, with plenty of opportunity for growth and reinvention. After years of living in the “here and now,” however, they regret not saving enough, and are worried about their finances. Sick & Tireds (82 percent) are living the worst possible retirement scenario. Less educated and with fewer financial resources, these retirees often suffer from poor health and are pessimistic Ageless Explorers 27% Comfortably Contents 19% Source: AIG SunAmerica/Harris Interactive @ How you feel about retirement could depend on how you plan today. about the future. As a result, they aren’t satisfied with either retirementor their preparationfor it. So how can you create a great retirement? The study found that wealth isn’t necessarily the answer. Retirees consistently said that tapping their potential was more important than big houses and expensive vacations. Financial planning was also critical. The longer people planned for retirement, the happier they were. Not only were they free from financial stress, but they had the resources to meet their specific retirement goals. For example, Ageless Explorers saved an average of 24 years, while Sick & Tireds saved for only 16. “This study should serve as a financial wake-up call to preretirees to start planning for retirement today, as procrastina- tion often leads to unintended and undesirable consequences,” said Jay Wintrob, AIG SunAmerica president and chief executive officer. “More importantly, plan- ning, not wealth, is the key issue.” The study was sponsored by financial services firm AIG Sun- America to better understand retirement in the 21st century. Survey information is available at www.visualize-retire ment.com. The Website also offers a two-minute quiz which may help predict what type of retiree you are likely to be.
