By LouAnn Schulfer, AWMA®, AIF®
Many people dream of retirement, especially after dedicating themselves to a few decades of work life. What’s it like then, to be newly retired?

As you would guess, I’ve heard many personal stories over the years. For most people, it’s a mix of excitement and a bit of nervousness as retirement approaches. Making the adjustment from a regular paycheck and watching retirement accounts grow to withdrawing money from those same accounts takes a mental shift of comfort and confidence. I also hear how the first few weeks of retired life are surreal, feeling like an extended vacation away from work. Sometimes, it takes a change of season for the reality to set in. I had one client who said he slept for a month, catching up from his exhausting job. Others have long “to do” lists that keeps their first few weeks or months too busy with work, just not paid work, so that they don’t even experience a slowdown. For many whose spouses are already retired and share the same interests, it’s a dream come true for them as there is no longer a work schedule that the previously retired spouse has to work around. My favorite statement from a client long ago is “When you are retired, every day is Saturday. That’s what it’s like to be newly retired.”

LouAnn Schulfer is co-owner of Schulfer & Associates, LLC Wealth Management and can be reached at (715) 343-9600 or [email protected] www.SchulferAndAssociates.com.

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC.