"Retirement is not the end of the road. It is the beginning of the open highway."’

— Author Unknown


Remember the first time you thought about retirement? You were likely young and had just secured the first job that offered benefits. Remember the form Human Resources gave you — the one where you had to decide how much money you wanted deposited into your retirement account for the first time? For many, that moment is the first time they’ve ever even thought about retirement. Unfortunately, many people stumble upon retirement planning this way and its even years after that before they more fully understand just how important it is to financially prepare for their future selves.

It’s likely no surprise that the retirement landscape has changed significantly since you made your first deposit. For example, in 1950, the average life expectancy in the U.S. was 68.2 years. Today, it is 79.4 years — meaning people are living more than 10 years longer. Previously, retiring at age 65 may have meant just a handful of years to live off of your savings. Now, retirement can last 15 years or more if you live into your 80s.

Because retirement can be an extended stage of life, we’re breaking down what you can do with the time to live your best life!

In your 60s: Lean into adventure and activity

Once retirement begins, you many enter a “honeymoon phase.” With energy, health, and financial flexibility often at their peak, your 60s are the ideal time to lean into adventure. After all those years of working, now’s the time to do the things you’ve always wanted to do but never had the time for — like go on cruises or RV across the nation. Staycations filled with long lunches with friends, afternoons at the ballpark or museum, or even a midday nap (just because you can) is a convenient and affordable option too. Also, now could be the perfect time to leverage your professional skills and networks to help advance a mission you feel passionate about.

One story shared by Eder Retirement Plan retirees Kev and Debbie Bomberger in the 2024 Retiree News publication captures this spirit well. The Bomberger’s said, “For the last 8 years we’ve been snowbirds spending four winter months in our Palm Springs condo in Florida and eight months in our Sanatoga Ridge Community home.”

In your 70s: Focus on meaningful activity

As you move into your 70s, your energy may begin to dip, but this stage often brings a deeper sense of meaning. The “honeymoon” phase of retirement may have worn off, but what takes its place is often a rhythm of purpose. Many retirees find fulfillment in volunteer work, mentoring, part-time pursuits, and spiritual growth. Others discover joy in simply spending more time with family, cultivating friendships, and staying active in ways that feel manageable and rewarding.

Quote_stages_of_retirement_(2).png

This is also a natural time to revisit your will, trust, estate plan, or charitable giving to confirm how you want your legacy to carry forward. Eder Financial offers planned and deferred giving options that can help align those decisions with the causes and communities you hold most dear. We can provide more information and help you open a planned or deferred gift. Call us at 800-746-1505 (Ext. 3) or email DG@eder.org.

In your 80s and beyond: Cherish connections and peace

Mobility may become limited and daily life often slows. While those changes aren’t always easy to face, they also create space to focus on what matters most — time with family and friends, faith, and gratitude for the journey behind you. Many retirees describe this as a season of reflection, storytelling, and gathering loved ones close.

Eder retirees John and Sharyn Bowman reflected in Retiree News 2024, “As the days roll along, we are of an age when we see signs which remind us of the limitations of our mortality. These signs serve to invite us to relish whatever remains for us, be it a day or a decade. Each day is filled with opportunities, beauty, and satisfactions.”

Across every stage of retirement — from the honeymoon years to the meaning in the middle, to the peace of later life — there are opportunities for joy, connection, and purpose. Each stage should reflect a well-lived life. And as people of faith, the best part is the joy we have in knowing this stage is simply the precursor to the hope that is set before us.



This content was AI-assisted with significant editorial review and human refinement to ensure accuracy and originality.