Retirement Pathways Meetups now every month in Marble Falls
DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR
MARBLE FALLS — When Polly Johnson held a meeting in April to help people closing in on retirement prepare for the life-changing experience, she discovered once just wasn’t enough for several of the participants.
“People wanted more discussion about (retirement) and preparing for it,” Johnson said. “I don’t think people really get much opportunity to discuss preparing for retirement and what to expect when they retire.”
So Johnson has taken her one-day workshop and created a twice-monthly “Retirement Pathways Meetup” every first and third Wednesday of the month. The first one is May 1.
The meeting is 3-4 p.m. at Main Street Coffee, 108 Main St.
“I would encourage people who are thinking about retiring in the next five years or so to come,” said Johnson, whose doctoral studies included looking at the transition to retirement. But she also hopes people who have recently retired as well as those already retired attend.
While much of the focus regarding retirement deals with the financial aspects, Johnson said there are many more issues people face as they move from a career or work into retirement life.
“These meet-ups will include discussions about different aspects of retirement such as what will you do with your time, changes in your sense of self or identity in retirement, social outlets, sense of purpose, family adjustments with retirement, working in retirement as well as financial adjustments,” she said.
The meetings will likely start with Johnson giving a short introduction on a topic but then open it up to discussion.
Johnson hopes to add some guest speakers as the twice-monthly meet-ups continue.
While the program is geared toward those considering retirement in the next several years, she encourages people who are already retired to attend.
“They may have some thoughts and ideas for people who are preparing to retire,” Johnson said. “There’s a lot of things we can learn about retirement and making that transition from people who have already done it. One of the things I heard from people attending the first program in April was they like to hear what other people’s experiences are.”
While many people look forward to retirement, Johnson said it is a major life-changing experience.
“(The meet-ups are) an opportunity for people to come together, discuss their thoughts and concerns and maybe learn some tips and tools they can use in their lives,” Johnson said.
The Retirement Pathways Meetups are free. The upcoming dates are May 1 and 15, June 5 and 19 and July 3 and 17.
For more information, email Johnson at polly@sisuadvisory.com or go to www.sisuadvisory.com.
editor@thepicayune.com