Retirement Snapshot
- Name: Rajib S.
- Location: Jacksonville, Florida
- Age: 67
- Retired At: 66
- Marital Status: Single
- Profession: College Administrator
Rajib S. was a college professor for 34 years and retired in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. He then moved to Jacksonville, Florida, to be close to the beach, an airport with good connections to major hub cities, good healthcare, and a relaxed lifestyle. Rajib enjoys volunteering, writing, and traveling. One of his favorite trips was a recent journey to London to take part in the pageantry surrounding Queen Elizabeth’s funeral. He says it was a one-of-a-kind, bucket-list experience. We talked with Rajib about his retirement.
Retirement Reality
Retirement Awaits: What does a day in retirement look like for you?
Rajib: Stress-free! I get to choose what I want to do and what to avoid. No day is typical. Some days I put in a few hours of writing at the local library. Most days I ride my bicycle on dedicated trails in the evening when it is cooler. I volunteer for three local organizations on projects ranging from trail repairs, river cleaning, and city events. And except for bad weather days, every day I walk the beach and watch spectacular sunrises on the Atlantic Ocean. What I don’t do is watch television!
Your Retirement Plan
Retirement Awaits: Did you have a solid plan going into retirement?
Rajib: Yes, I did. There are things I could not do while I was working. I developed a list of where I would make my permanent residence and the sorts of activities I would engage in.
Best Part About Retirement
Retirement Awaits: What’s the best part about retirement?
Rajib: Freedom from employer rules! For example, I do not have to be concerned with: Do I have enough vacation or time off to volunteer on a local project to restore park trails or attend an out-of-town wedding? I am also able to control the pace of my life as opposed to the organization determining that. It is a relief to escape the tyranny of deadlines!
Challenges In Retirement
Retirement Awaits: What’s the biggest challenge in retirement?
Rajib: Choosing between numerous alternatives! Retirement reveals the buffet of choices available to us that a full-time job made us blind to. It took me several months to try out various activities and engagements before I was able to settle on the ones that worked best for me.
Cost Of Retirement
Retirement Awaits: We want people to understand how much retirement really costs. How do you manage your money now? Do you have a budget, meet with your advisor on a regular basis, etc?
Rajib: I have a budget and try to stay with it. Before retiring, I ensured I was debt-free including paying off my mortgage. But even then, money has to be set aside for taxes, insurance, and repairs. Having a fund equal to 2 percent of the value of the house in a “repair and replacement” account to pay for leaking windows or a broken dishwasher shields you from unexpected big hits. One item I was not prepared for was Medicare premium payments. It is based on your previous year’s federal income tax. Higher income translates into fatter premiums. I take a fixed sum of money out of my retirement fund on a monthly basis automatically, giving me a sense that I am still receiving a salary!
Retirement Advice
Retirement Awaits: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give someone about to retire?
Rajib: Check out carefully the place you want to have your primary home. If you are politically conscious or active, it can be socially and emotionally comforting to live in a community where politics comports with your own sensibilities. And register to vote in your new community as soon as you move to it!
Things I Wish I Would Have Known
Retirement Awaits: What are a few things you wish someone would have told you about retirement/this season of life/transition?
Rajib: That a Medicare premium would be steeper and it can be very complicated to figure out the numerous drug plans if you are on medication.
Best Retirement Vacation
Retirement Awaits: What Is your favorite vacation or vacation spot?
Rajib: Washington, D.C. I never tire of visiting the nation’s capital. On every visit, I find something new to see and experience — and enjoy! A highly recommended experience is being at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day. It is soul-stirring!
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