Yesterday night, I attended a retirement dinner specially arranged for my previous boss cum mentor who had his last day of service on the 30th of April after 30 years of service with this company. Quite a number of colleagues were there too to celebrate the last moments with him. The dinner was held in the city’s best hotel in buffet style by the pool side. Once seated, the farewell message at the stage immediately captured my attention.

To : Txx Sxx Gxxx

Goodbye Pressure, Hello Leisure!!

In Malaysia private sectors, the retirement age is about 55-57 years old while other countries especially the American or EU is making it at 65-67 years old, a significant space of ~ 10 years. Why?

Are we Malaysian really not workable at age 50+? I definitely don’t think so. Take SG for example. He is physically fit still as far as the company knows and able to discharge his duties as well. Besides SG, my father too was a good example that this group of elders can still work and contribute to the society even in their fifties.

So, i wonder how does the government come to the conclusion that our men and women should exit from the labor force by this age?? With the advances in life sciences and medical cares,people of today has even attained a longer life expectancy compared to the 70′s.

Arrh….The only reason for me to think that these elders has started to show a common trait that is their commitment and aggressiveness in work as well as  to the company has taken a brake when reaching the 50′s. At this age, their priorities are no longer in work or career advancement but in health maintenance, family times as well as pursuing their personal hobbies. I’m  thinking if they did not spend their earlier life entirely to work but partially also indulge in aforementioned priorities,maybe they can still show a satisfactory amount of commitment in their work as well as their bosses when reaching their 50s. This could eventually change the whole idea of the retirement age in this country.

Take Germany for example. My colleagues over there are definitely enjoying their life much better than us. In 365 days a year, they spend about 20-30 days on vacations or leaves. Plus the weekends & public holidays in a year, the total rest days for them in a year is about 30-40% of the 365 calendar days.When they are back from the holidays, I can sense that they are refreshed and focused in work. Daily working hours for them would not exceed 8 hours and they are virtually off during weekends. Shopping malls and retail shops are closed at ~ 8 pm. By 10 pm, it is totally rest time for everybody. Workloads given by their bosses are reasonable, fairly delegated and time frame before submission is also thoroughly thought of.

In Asian working culture, the annual leave entitlement is very much less than 30 days, total days of rest in a year is only >25% averagely. Annual traveling is not a “must-have” for us too except probably to KL for shopping. During weekdays, we are held up either by work or unscrupulous bosses. Shopping malls’ operating hours nowadays are extended to late night ,some even round the clock. If people is trapped in this kind of hectic environment for years, i can understand the person will definitely wear out even before 50s thus generally our timeout from work is made as such!

Hence, this is a chicken and egg event. If the bosses/goverment don’t change the working cultures and rules likewise the Europeans, we’d continue working until late hours, no time for family and friends,let alone hobbies. On the other side, if we don’t know how to live a balanced life sooner as we step into the working life, we would be worn out very soon!

A modern civilization or so-called developed country does not only rich in their assets and technologies,but also in the concept of life as well as the quality aspects of it.

Anyway, as long as the bosses or the workaholics haven’t read this post, here are some tips for those retired elders on how to spend their remaining lives after retirement:

An Old Man

Indulge in activities that are aimed at improving your knowledge, skills, or qualities. Examples are endless and tend to fall into natural categories of their own:

Physical

• joining an aqua-swim group
• learning how to paint
• starting a new gardening project
• learning tai-chi or yoga
• playing tennis or badminton
• joining a ballroom dancing class
• bowling, golfing, swimming, etc
• learning to play an instrument
• quilting, embroidering, or crocheting

Mental

• engaging in a brain fitness program
• learning a new language
• joining a lifelong learning program
• attending a college course
• teaching literacy skills
• reading about new subject areas
• writing your autobiography, BLog!
• mentoring business students or entrepreneurs
• tutoring students of all ages
• taking an acting class

Spiritual

• learning Reiki or other healing practices
• participating in religious activities
• meditating regularly
• traveling to holy sites
• volunteering at a hospital or crisis centre
• helping at an animal shelter

Social

• joining a choir
• participating in a play
• starting a new business
• traveling in a group
• volunteering in the community