Preparing for retirement is not entirely financial. Your degree of happiness in your “second act” may depend on some factors that don’t come with an obvious price tag. One question we like to explore is: What will you do with your time? 

Too many people retire without any idea of what their retirement will look like. They leave work, and they cannot figure out what to do with themselves, so they grow restless. It’s important to identify what you want your retirement to look like and what you see yourself doing.

1. Reflect on Your Values and Priorities

Ask yourself:

• What really matters to me now?
• What do I want more of in my life (peace, adventure, connection, creativity)?
• What did I always say I’d do “if I had more time”?

Tip: Make a "values list" or vision board to clarify your direction.

 2. Experiment With a Trial Routine

Start by building a sample weekly schedule with:

• Daily anchors: consistent habits like walking, reading, or morning coffee.
• Themed days: e.g., “Adventure Mondays,” “Volunteer Thursdays.”
• Buffer time: leave space for spontaneity, rest, or reflection.

Try this before you retire if possible, maybe on vacation or during a sabbatical.

 3. Identify Activities That Energize You

Make a list of:

• Hobbies you’ve neglected or always wanted to try
• Interests that challenge or inspire you (art, writing, history, gardening)
• Social or group activities (book clubs, classes, sports, volunteering)

Tip: Try something low-commitment to start, like a one-day workshop or online course.

 4. Consider Your Social Needs

• Who do you want to spend more time with?
• How will you stay connected to people regularly?
• Are there local clubs, faith groups, or volunteer orgs to join?

Tip: Consider scheduling regular meetups or joining group activities to create new connections.

 5. Plan for Personal Growth

• Choose a few goals: Learn a language, write a memoir, take cooking classes.
• Join lifelong learning programs or online communities.
• Create a “retirement bucket list.”

6. Balance Rest and Structure

Too much structure = burnout. Too little = boredom.

• Use a flexible routine with 2–4 anchor points per day.
• Schedule downtime intentionally, it’s not “wasted” time.

7. Keep a Retirement Journal

Use it to:

• Record how you're spending your time
• Reflect on what's fulfilling or draining
• Adjust your plans as your interests evolve

Having a clear vision for your retirement may help you align your financial goals. It’s important to remember that your vision for retirement may change, like deciding you don’t want to stop working after all.

A recent Employee Benefit Research Institute Retirement Confidence Survey shows that 73% of workers expect to work for pay in retirement, whereas just 25% of retirees report that they’ve actually worked for pay.¹

Maybe you love your career and can’t imagine not working during your retirement. There’s no hard and fast rule to your dream retirement, so it's important to be honest with yourself.

It’s fine to keep all of your options open!

1. EBRI.org, 2025

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Published for the blog on June 6, 2025 by Allos Investment Advisors®, LLC.