Naturally, when addressing your
retirement plan considerations, most of our conversations with you are about money, and how we can help you secure the future of your family and maximise your wealth. However, we also recognise that your financial position is only one single input to help you live a rich and fulfilled life. Family, friends, your social life, your career, and many other factors help you to live life to the full.
We recently came across The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), which is a large-scale, nationally representative, long-term study on ageing in Ireland. It collects information from adults aged 50 years and over resident in Ireland and is one of the most comprehensive research studies of its kind both in Europe and internationally. TILDA’s Vision is to make Ireland ‘the best place in the world to grow old’ by studying the health, wealth and quality of life aspects of ageing. We thought this research was definitely worth sharing with you.
Four waves of research with over 8,000 people have been completed since the launch of the study in 2006. So what can we learn from TILDA to help us live a more fulfilled life in retirement?
Retirement is not the end
Quality of life peaks at age 68 – this is when life is at its best! TILDA found that people aged 80 enjoy a similar quality of life as people aged 50. It’s only from age 80 onwards that quality of life starts to decrease.
Social participation is really important
Increased social integration, through maintaining a larger social network and positive supportive relationships with friends, is associated with higher quality of life. Similarly volunteering and participating in both active and social leisure activities lead to happier lives as you get older. So keep participating in your golf, bridge or amateur dramatics!
Your living conditions are important
Independent living is an important goal for many people as they age, you want to stay at home. The condition of your home plays an important role in this. As your finances allow, make your home as easy and comfortable as possible to live in. For example, keeping your house warm has a big impact on your quality of life.
Stay strong and fit
Give yourself every chance for a long and happy life. Start exercising today, and then keep it up! It will pay off in the long run. Frailty is a common condition in Ireland but is not inevitable and can be avoided, delayed and even reversed. The keys to this are staying active, avoiding falls, staying socially engaged and good nutrition.
There’s loads more brilliant content that is relevant to life over age 50 at www.tilda.ie. Simple changes in both your actions and outlook can go a long way. When you add to this our advice to help you with your financial outlook in retirement, you stand every chance of your later years indeed being your golden years.
Get Advice
Talk to us now and make an appointment with one of our Letterkenny team of QFAs. We are here to help with your Financial Planning Concerns. Ask us questions on Retirement & Pension, Life Insurance & Protection, Mortgages, and Investment Advice. Get in touch here or give us a call at 074 91 03938.
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