Living it up: While some see it as an opportunity to pursue their dream projects, many see retirement as an opportunity to take a break and spend more time with family and friends. — 123rf
RETIREMENT should be seen as an opportunity to truly enjoy the fruits of your labour or fulfilling ambitions.
When interviewed, those who are inching towards the age of 60 are not that keen to see any increase in retirement age; they say it is time to allow the young to thrive and the older ones to pursue “life”.
Harjit Singh, 57, left his job as a health, safety, environment, and quality manager at 52. He did not want to wait until he was 60 for an opportunity to open a company which specialises in training truck drivers.
“This is my passion actually. I wanted to do something that I like. It has been four years since I opened my company. It is doing well.”
When asked, Harjit says those who have the opportunity to retire should do so.
“Retirement is an opportunity for us to work on our passions. Please do something that you enjoy after leaving office.
“We have spent so many years working. Why not use this opportunity to do something for yourself? Do the things you could not do when you were busy toiling away.
“Enjoy hanging out with friends, take those morning walks. Embrace the change in life.”
Harjit points out that retirement can help to open doors for younger workers to advance in their careers.
“At the same time, if the retirement age is increased, we are going to impede the advancement of young workers.
“Furthermore, the youth job market is not expanding. Let’s allow them to thrive further,” he says.
However, Harjit understands that some are still burdened by hefty financial commitments even when they are allowed to dip into their retirement savings.
“But this time around, maybe you can do something you like for income.”
For Maulizan Abu Bakar, 58, who works as a supervisor at a security agency, increasing the retirement age is not the only solution to beef up insufficient retirement savings.
“We can use the experience gained or the network we have formed today to help with our next venture.
“For example, upon retirement, I am planning to open a small eatery.
“As of now, I am learning what I can to start and maintain such a business.
“My children are supportive of my plans. They do not want to see me going back and forth to the office daily.
“They want me to do something that I enjoy, which is cooking. My colleagues are even planning to have me supplying them with breakfast and lunch meals.”
Maulizan says he can still earn money with his next business venture.
“It is not going to be a large-scale business with many workers. I’ll just have to make sure that it is enough to support myself and my wife and pay off some bills.
“My children are already working. I don’t have to worry much about them.”
