David is 58 years old and Gill 48. It is just on two and a half years since David retired as a management professional, or as he describes it, started his ‘gap decade’. Gill continues to work full-time in a busy senior management role.
David and Gill are tertiary educated and describe themselves as socially progressive with interests around travel, lifestyle, the arts, politics and current affairs that pre-occupy their community; Australia and overseas.
We asked David and Gill to reflect on their experience both in the planning and the reality of David’s ‘retirement’ with Gill continuing to work.
So, how has your two and half years been?
David: I was quite clear in my own mind that I did not want to take up any form of paid employment or engagement in the early years at least of my ‘gap decade’. I was keen to experiment on myself how to make good use of my time and my skills and experience built up over decades. I decided to look at ‘time’, as similar to ‘water’ and use it wisely, not wastefully. I also decided that every retirement is an individual journey and looked to treat mine through this lens, in close partnership with Gill.
Gill: I have thoroughly enjoyed watching and sharing David settle into his new life pace. I sure am appreciative of the support both in terms of household chores and an always open ear/shoulder as I sometimes wrestle with the daily grind. Yes, many times I have felt a little envious! Especially getting up on our cold winter mornings!
What did you do to prepare for David’s gap decade?
David: I was lucky to have access to an employment access program. I was keen to test my philosophy and planned approach with some independent expertise. The experts I met with over a few meetings were strongly supportive of my plan and were especially useful connecting me with some tools to support my process. One was ‘mind-mapping’ which I found to be a really valuable way to visually organise important information about myself and my likes and dislikes. This strongly affirmed my view that you are the same person whether in full-time employment, retired or in transition.
Gill: My earlier years of working in and around superannuation gave me some insight here, in that I encouraged David to do his homework, financially and also emotionally. I played a sounding board role and tried to test or challenge David’s thinking. Above all I was quietly excited about a new direction for us. I also encouraged him to learn some new skills – especially around gaining confidence with technology – including using and getting the most out of social media. A couple of good friends were especially supportive in this area in a very practical way.
Are there things you would have done differently?
David: Like many retirees, I was keen to work on a volunteer basis in both executive management and more general community service roles. I was accepted in to a volunteer program as a conservation interpreter after a rigorous assessment program. I suspect I was also worried about having time on my hands and jumped at the first opportunity where the subject matter was a personal interest. Community volunteer opportunities are often more competitive than they appear. On reflection, I wish I had sat back and surveyed the landscape for a wider range of potential volunteer roles rather than jumped at the first attractive opportunity.
Gill: The timing of events was reasonably quick and intense, so I’m not sure what we could have done too much differently in terms of preparation. There is always something – but from where I sit, I think David’s was a smooth transition. He doesn’t have any regrets, so that makes me very happy! I look at my own future work options and desires with a much greater clarity in terms of the life we want as individuals and together.
Is there any advice you would give or comments you would make for people who might see similarities in their own circumstances?
David: Do your research. There is a wealth of information available via desktop research. Talk to friends who have taken some of the steps you are thinking of taking. Definitely sort out a clear financial plan as part of your retirement decision-making. Based on your research and plans, get to the point where you are comfortable with your own decisions and can articulate them clearly – family and friends will naturally be curious and will make assumptions that might be wide of the mark. And finally, be fully prepared for some of your initiatives to work out well and some not – just like life in paid employment.
Gill: In addition to David’s comments above, I would say be realistic about what you are going to need. For example, there is no Helpdesk, or HR department to troubleshoot; either factor in paying for services you hadn’t thought of before, or learn new skills! I believe you can teach an old dog new tricks!
… and the new dog.
David: We had a great dog for fifteen years when Gill and I both worked full-time and long hours. This dog passed away in the lead up to my retirement. Gill was always keen we get a new dog after a ‘waiting period’ which we have done. I have been surprised how demanding on my time and patience the new dog has been – even though I really shouldn’t have been. Perhaps this also reflects how much I have been enjoying spending my ‘gap decade’, for the most part as wisely as I can. To adapt from Paul Keating, “if you’re in politics and you need a friend, get yourself a dog’ … and the new dog, well he’s a cracker!
Gill: I think we both forgot how much time and effort (and money if you have a chewer!) a new puppy needs and there have been a few times where we have wondered what we were thinking! All in all though, timing is good and it won’t be long before we settle into our new rhythm and enjoy every day!
Have you experienced any of these same challenges? Did you make your retirement choices slowly or did you zoom into your new life? Do you have any advice for Gill and David? Is a dog part of your life, one of your aspirations?
jess | 05th February 2017 at 10:51 am
My dad has always stressed the importance of saving up for retirement, so that we are not limited in what we can do. I love their attitude!
Jan at Retiring Not Shy! | 05th February 2017 at 3:15 pm
Good advice from your Dad, Jess. Yes Gill & David have a great attitude, as does their dog 😉
Seana Smith | 04th February 2017 at 1:25 pm
My idea of retiring is the kids all leaving home so I can reduce the domestic work and up my freelance work as like Janet I love it… wouldn’t if it was full-time though. I’d really like to do a voluntary job somewhere that was meaningful to me in the future and could spend more time planning that… and saving!
Jan at Retiring Not Shy! | 05th February 2017 at 3:20 pm
Sounds like you have some solid aspirations. Retirement is so individual these days, unlike my parent’s generation – that’s a good thing. Check out volunteering opportunities carefully, it is a great aspiration but can have downsides if the organisation isn’t a good match. It’s wise to hasten slowly.
Janet aka Middle Aged Mama | 03rd February 2017 at 4:18 pm
A fascinating look into how one couple is transitioning to retirement. My hubster is keen to retire at 60 which is about 11 years away; whereas I love having my own business and am not interested in retiring at all! But it would be nice to have him around a bit more 🙂
Jan at Retiring Not Shy! | 04th February 2017 at 10:20 am
Everyone has to find their own balance Janet, and I bet you and your husband figure it out. Like most things in life it’s about balance and figuring out how, if he retires. you can continue with your business but also spend time with him.
Jan at Retiring Not Shy! | 03rd February 2017 at 2:58 pm
Glad you enjoyed David & Gill’s tips; really good advice we thought. Time to start dreaming about your own gap decade?
sue | 03rd February 2017 at 7:54 am
A gap decade is a good way of looking at early retirement LOL:) I retired at 55 to join my husband who had retired and is 9 years older than me. It was certainly a shock to my system as I wasn’t prepared. Thanks for a great interview and sharing with us at #OvertheMoon Link UP.
Jan at Retiring Not Shy! | 03rd February 2017 at 2:54 pm
I ‘retired’ early too Sue and I don’t know that any of us are fully prepared, but David and Gill did some great groundwork.
Thanks for the linkup x
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit | 02nd February 2017 at 4:39 pm
A gap decade! LOL.I wonder where we could spend our gap decade. Hmmmm.
#TeamLovinLife
Jan at Retiring Not Shy! | 03rd February 2017 at 2:55 pm
Time to start planning 🙂
Deborah | 02nd February 2017 at 10:55 am
Oh, what a great experience. And I love the decision / agreement for one partner to keep working while the other takes a break. I tend to feel a bit of envy when I see those with partners who can help share the financial burden but simultaneously struggle with the idea of it being the male who has to keep working while the female takes time off. (Which is what I would want, obviously!!!)
Jan at Retiring Not Shy! | 02nd February 2017 at 1:01 pm
Gill and David worked really hard on their planning and I think they would say negotiations are ongoing (as they are in any partnership – personal or business) but they have achieved a great balance and understanding. It’s a challenge but one worth meeting.
Thanks for stopping by.
jowill | 02nd February 2017 at 7:33 am
I love the language ‘gap decade’ used in this post! I’ve long felt annoyed by the word ‘retirement’ and in particular the hype regarding all the things people will be able to do once they ‘retire’. The reality is that most of us will never have more money than we do when we are in paid work. Great advice to think and plan carefully for the ‘gap’.
Jan at Retiring Not Shy! | 02nd February 2017 at 8:59 am
It’s a great description, I agree. We hate the word retirement and prefer re-wirement. I hate being considered a senior too!
What retirement means is constantly being reinvented, which I love. In our experience you can do a surprising amount with less money than you might think; one of the benefits of having less work pressure is having more time to research and plan options, to travel off peak etc. But you are right most of us have less money than when we are in paid employment and one needs to remember there won’t be a top up pay cheque every week. All the more reason to as you say, plan carefully for the gap and it’s more likely to be two decades not one.
Ingrid | 02nd February 2017 at 7:26 am
I’ve never heard of a gap decade before. It’s definitely something for me to consider in 8-10 years time.
Jan at Retiring Not Shy! | 02nd February 2017 at 8:59 am
It’s never too early to start planning Ingrid 🙂
Kathy Marris | 31st January 2017 at 4:58 pm
I’m all for gap decades. I think if you are financially secure then go for it! I always say that we should spend the kid’s inheritance. I have recently resigned from my part-time writing job and I’m going to focus on some different things this year, one being getting fit and healthy and taking more time to catch up with friends. My husband thinks I’m going to be bored, but I’ve got news for him! Great post.
Jan at Retiring Not Shy! | 01st February 2017 at 2:18 pm
What an exciting time for you Kathy, I look forward as always to seeing how you re-shape your life.
David says “It’s been interesting with one or other of us doing different things because we have different amounts of time to spend. Underpinning this period with great information sharing and listening time has been really important. Time is a bit like water – you can use it wisely or waste it, if you don’t actively think about how to best use it.”
Maria Parenti-Baldey | 30th January 2017 at 9:03 pm
Good on you. You’re both on the same page.
Jan at Retiring Not Shy! | 01st February 2017 at 2:19 pm
They do have their act together Maria and David says “Thanks. A prominent and up to date calendar in our kitchen really helps.”
Denyse Whelan | 30th January 2017 at 7:30 pm
How interesting! I have heard of sabbaticals but not a ‘gap decade’ before. This is great to read about and learn more about the experiences of others. When I finally (only did it 3 times!!) retired from any paid work there was a GAP and I jumped into a volunteer role I thought I suited. I did but it didnt suit me once I was in the organisation. So I left it. That was hard for me to do but it had to be a right fit. My hub does some voluntary work and has recently slimmed the commitments down. We are a very similar age – 67 and almost 68- and have had no time as a couple (we were parents at an early age) until the past 2 years. It’s been good to have more time for enjoying each other’s company. Always learning new things is part of what I know I need to do and be! Thanks for linking up today. Next week the prompt for Life This Week is “what is enough money?” ….I see it as a philosophical one rather than 100% financial!
Jan at Retiring Not Shy! | 01st February 2017 at 2:21 pm
Thanks to you Denyse for the link up and for your thoughtful input.
David has the following comment regarding volunteering “There are really good online resources in relation to volunteering, especially for not-for-profits. Here’s two that have been good for us: http://www.nfpcompliance.vic.gov.au/ and https://www.volunteeringaustralia.org/ One word of cautionary note is it is often easier to join a not-for-profit board or committee but you may have less influence than you think and yet still find it harder to get off the board or committee than get on.”