Not for Seniors Only

by Rabbi Yaakov Salomon

What will you do when you retire?

Published: December 6, 2008
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Visitor Comments: 15

(15) Rebecca, February 15, 2009 10:01 AM

Will we be able to afford retirement?

I think the bigger question now is, will those of us who are not retired yet ever be able to afford to? with this economic recession, will everyone's pension plan be gone? Let's pray that having something productive to do when/if we retire is our only worry. A friend of ours who retired a few years ago is now trying to get a job anywhere just to get by. How can we make sure that older people live comfortably and securely throughout their years of retirement?

(14) AL Resn, December 23, 2008 9:53 AM

Retiring? Hell no!!

I am 91,enjoying what I do, and expect to retire when I am no longer vertical.

(13) Anonymous, December 12, 2008 8:51 AM

Yes, please elaborate

Yes, I agree. I for one would very much like to know suggestions, example, helpful tips....

(12) Anonymous, December 11, 2008 12:43 PM

And the point is?

I respect the Rabbi and I respect that he may have only a short time to talk with us. Having said that, I find this article is only a 3 second message: "make a plan for your retirement". Next time I would hope the Rabbi would offer ideas e.g. books or informative articles to read, actual suggestions such as volunteer work, hobbies, exercise programs and the like. I am newly retired. My advice is to schedule SOME of your time to include when you wake up and when you lie down (sound familiar?), when you volunteer at Temple and when you exercise. Enjoy the remaining time as UNstructured time available for any special projects reading a good book, meeting friends, etc. For me, having some, but not all my time, with structure is a good way to start retirement.

(11) SusanE, December 10, 2008 7:37 PM

I Applaud Ruth H's. Insight

Ruth, Your comments and your insight about life before and after retirement are wonderful. Thank you for writing about Live Your Passion. I agree wholeheartedly with everything you say. Thank you Rabbi for this weeks "Something to Think About".

(10) Anonymous, December 10, 2008 8:35 AM

my busy mom!

my mom is nearing 80! she stays so busy and happy! she volenteers at yad sora and the cancer society. (we live in israel). she reads, helps her neighbors, cooks up a storm when the kids and grandchildren come over. but most important, she davens 3 times a day along with her daily tehillim. mom, you should have many more healthy and happy years!

(9) Anonymous, December 9, 2008 5:03 PM

Oh, I'd just love to have my own radio show or videosite but I wonder what my MACHATONIM would say? something to think about - eh? by the way, this is a personal comment for Rabbi Solomon only. Regards E.A.

(8) Anonymous, December 9, 2008 9:36 AM

Thanks

We sit around waiting for your thoughtful and inciteful emails.

(7) Roz Lipsitt, December 9, 2008 8:59 AM

Here's What Can Be Done

As an occupational therapist specializing in geriatrics, I would advise everyone, no matter what age you are, to try to lead a balanced life. This is easier said than done in our society where there are so many demands, especially financial. Someone once asked, "Why don't people read more?" Answer: "Because books don't ring." Let's remember that today is the first day of the rest of our lives and make a commitment to do one thing every day not related to work, but not TV!

(6) ruth housman, December 9, 2008 8:28 AM

Live your Passion

Sadly, many people equate work with life and when they, especially men, lose their jobs through attrition, retirement, etc. they feel like life is over. Life is not just the job, and never should be. it's the myriad things we do, constantly, that are our passion. Those who are lucky follow their passions in the job and do what it is they feel called to do that gives joy, but many are not able to do this. It's the constant structure of a job that gives people a way to walk through time. To contemplate, suddenly, the void, without preparation, is difficult. Women, who talk about so much to each other, who do engage more often I believe, in activities that are social, that are about giving in myriad ways, from participation in school fairs, etc. seem often more able to make the leap and are very busy, doing for others and doing what they love in retirement. In a way, it's not about the job. That's a mind set, meaning this notion that productivity is counted for in dollars. Do something that gives pleasure to you and to others and you cannot be bored. Look around. There is just so much to do and if anything, it's the choice that's difficult. I volunteer in a Seniors Center and it's so obvious how people continue to grow and learn from the sparks that are produced when they interact with each other. Sometimes the first step is the hardest. I have met such fabulous people and they power each other. In my group it's about the stories...looking down the years. Everyone tells a story. And this group is so affirming to each of the participants as they bear witness to their lives and see, looking down the years, the magic threads and it's a continuing tapestry, not the end, in "retirement". It's all a matter of Point of View, POV and not Poverty of View. The vistas are endless. Embrace them.

(5) Anonymous, December 9, 2008 7:56 AM

What John Quincy Adams Did

John Quincy Adams -- son of John Adams -- served one term as President but lost re-election to a second term. Thererafter, he ran for and was elected to the House of Representatives, where he served a number of two-year-terms with distinction. He was asked whether it was not "below the dignity" of a former president to go into the House of Representatives. He replied, "It cannot be below the dignity of any citizen to serve in the nation's Congress."

(4) Anonymous, December 9, 2008 6:38 AM

my father

i am so proud of my father. after never missing first minyan his whole working life, he started studying the daf yomi when he retired. he now wakes up before 5am every morning. he's on his second daf yomi cycle (and busy amassing other mitzvot - helping those around him wherever and whenever he can) and his vibrancy and purpose are wonderfully exciting. i am indeed very lucky to have him as a role model.

(3) Anonymous, December 9, 2008 6:10 AM

volunteer grandchildren learn daven

I had an excellent computer job. Today I learn daven and volunteer in different places where I can help people. I also have children and grandchildren to enjoy I love my life now and would never go back to work

(2) Anonymous, December 7, 2008 4:14 PM

Sounds like my father-in-law

My father-in-law is semi-retired and does almost nothing. It is very sad that such a bright man is doing hardly anything with his life. He could use his accounting skills to do pro bono work or teach accounting.

(1) ross, December 7, 2008 8:23 AM

...and maybe I'll correspond with George Bush

It was quite scary when my father announced his retirement at age 62 after working 18 hour days. We knew he would go nuts. He ended up working for the same company he had owned. How sad. It's good to be religious. I know when I retire, my aim is to sit in a beis midrash. (And distill whiskey, and start a university.)

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About the Author

Rabbi Yaakov Salomon

More by this Author >

Rabbi Yaakov Salomon, C.S.W. is a noted psychotherapist, in private practice in Brooklyn, N.Y. for over 25 years. He is a Senior Lecturer and the Creative Director of Aish Hatorah's Discovery Productions. He is also an editor and author for the Artscroll Publishing Series and a member of the Kollel of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath.

Rabbi Salomon is co-author, with Rabbi Noah Weinberg, of the best selling book "What the Angel Taught You; Seven Keys to Life Fulfillment," (Mesorah), and is also the co-producer of the highly-acclaimed film, "Inspired."

Click here to order Yaakov Salomon's new book, Salomon Says: 50 Stirring and Stimulating Stories.

In these marvelous stories -- brimming with wit, understanding, a touch of irony and a large helping of authentic Torah perspective -- we will walk with a renowned and experienced psychotherapist and popular author through the pathways of contemporary life: its crowded sidewalks, its pedestrian malls, and the occasional dead end street. This is a walk through our lives that will be fun, entertaining -- and eye-opening. In our full -- sometimes overfull -- and complex lives, Yaakov Salomon is a welcome and much-needed voice of sanity and reason.

His speaking, writing and musical talents have delighted audiences from Harvard to Broadway and everything in between. Rabbi Salomon shares his life with his wife, Temmy, and their unpredictable family.

Not for Seniors Only

What will you do when you retire?

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