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Thoughts of life after work often evoke mixed emotions. On one hand, we eagerly anticipate the end of the daily grind. On the other hand, the prospect of decades without something to do or a steady income, hobbled down by aching backs and high cholesterol, can be daunting.
But what if retirement wasn't about slowing down, but about thriving and making the most of the time we gain? Many retirees have found the so-called third stage of life can be a time for discovering new passions, contributing to their communities, and finding profound happiness and fulfillment by staying active, engaged and curious.
That is only possible, though, if you enter it prepared for the two things they say we lose in our retirement years: energy and money.
Pursuing a new career
Heru Legowo, once a general manager at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali, now spends his days writing.
“When you are no longer tied to an agency or institution, you are free to make decisions according to your own preferences and your own time schedule,” he shares.
Heru's newfound freedom has allowed him to pursue a lifelong passion: writing. He's penned several books aimed at bridging the generational gap.
"The Millennial generation and Gen Z have a different perspective from the older generation like me," he explains. "My experience and suggestions offer a new way, and I believe the generational gap broadens a young person's horizons."
Heru now contributes to Djaka Lodang, a Javanese magazine from Yogyakarta that has been active for more than 50 years.
"I get to practice writing in Javanese. It's a positive thing for me as I am participating in maintaining the continuity of the Javanese language, which is starting to be abandoned by the younger generation."
This freedom is enabled by a factor that many of us take for granted in our youth: Being fit and active.
"In retirement, being fit and active, having lived 60 years of a good life, means a whole new world can open up," he says.
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Getting fitter and healthier
Fitness is in fact what other retirees find more time for.
Charlie, a retired corporate worker, ran a marathon this year at 60.
"I had time to train slowly and build up. I am the fittest I have been in years," he says.
His active lifestyle includes cycling, swimming and playing padel. Retirement has given him the time to focus on his health and well-being.
Dave, a retired expat from the United States, found joy in outdoor activities at 79, particularly e-cycling every Sunday with a group where the average age is 57.
"Indonesia is a friendly place to move to and retire," he says.
"The culture offers a slower, gentler rhythm. Crime is very rare, and guns are mostly non-existent. The climate is great. I am far happier in Indonesia than living in the US. Beauty is everywhere—in nature, the local culture, the events hosted here and the local people."
Learning and other pursuits
Others are keeping their minds active by learning new things and pursuing new hobbies.
Ria, who is enjoying her retirement in Jakarta, indulges her love for books and languages.
"I have read many books since my retirement. I also love learning languages. I am now learning several foreign languages,” she says.
“I now spend more time in my small garden and grow produce for my daily needs. I give the excess to my relatives. Luckily, I have land.”
Komang, a retired language school teacher, similarly finds joy in gardening.
"I love gardening, and I have a big yard and a piece of land near my house in Denpasar, so I can do more of this. I have time now. I grow bananas, mangoes and papayas," she says.
The fact that they both have a plot of land on which to enjoy this newfound hobby points to another enabling factor for a fulfilling retirement life: Financial planning and investments.
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Managing your retirement
Being financially prepared is a common thread among the stories of these thriving retirees.
“After retirement, your nest egg decreases quite drastically. Having a financial management system to sustain one's lifestyle post-retirement is very important,” Heru said.
Komang, a single mother, has always maintained a budget, ensuring she has enough saved for her retirement.
“You must think about the 'needs' as opposed to the 'wants' when buying things. As far as I remember, I have been doing it since I was a little girl, which I think I inherited from my mother [...] I hope my daughters can also implement thoughtful financial management in their families."
For expats like Dave, financial security involves careful planning.
“I took early retirement from a large corporate giant, which offered low-cost health insurance, a small pension and some profit-sharing distribution. I have to pay careful attention to my expenses and investments to ensure they will last,” he explained.
“I'm not an accountant, but I'm thoroughly knowledgeable about my 'budget' and what I have to live on—this was very important for gaining confidence and feeling free to take further steps.”
Nyoman, a retired teacher from Gianyar, tried several part-time businesses to keep busy.
“Why not try a new business in retirement? So, I rented a shop and sold small items, then moved on to making bricks, and then I tried processing rice. All three businesses failed. I am not good at business. I am a teacher and have taught religious studies in elementary school all my life. I gave all three businesses to my nephews. They have the energy for that,” he said.
Luckily for him, his pension is enough to cover his needs, since he has no wife or children.
"Life is very good for me, and I am glad I have my pension and financial security. But, I do not engage in cockfight gambling or cards, so that keeps me on the right track," Nyoman added.
With a bit of foresight and responsible financial management, retirement does not need to be about slowing down. It can be about leveling up your life, a reward for decades of daily toil.
From writing and gardening to cycling and learning new languages, these retirees show that the golden years can be our most vibrant chapter yet, provided that we enter it prepared to make the most of the freedom and time we finally have.
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This article is part of The Weekender, which comes out on the Saturday edition of The Jakarta Post. It offers a variety of lifestyle and culture articles aimed at enriching your reading experience. Subscribe here to get access to the Saturday edition and all other premium content from the Post.
