SPIRITUAL WELLNESS
Prepared by the GuideStone Director of Pastoral Wellness, Mark Dance
Find Your Purpose
- Ask God what he wants your purpose to be in the final chapter of your life.
- Retirement planning is more than financial independence or the completion of a personal bucket list – it is fulfilling the purpose God has for your life.
- David wrote in Psalm 138:8, “The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me.” Hundreds of years later, it was written that “David, after serving God’s purpose in his own generation, fell asleep.” (Acts 13:36).
Take Advantage of Opportunities to Serve
- You may have retired from full-time work, but you shouldn’t retire from living out your faith and serving. Continue finding ways to use your gifts to help others through serving at your church and volunteering in your community. (Matthew 5:16, Acts 20:35)
Pour into Others through Discipleship
- Think about who you interact with in your day-to-day life and who you have the opportunity to pour into and influence. Look for an opportunity to invest in someone younger than you – formally or informally (Titus 2:3-7). Find a way to encourage someone in your age group every day (Romans 12:10). Whether it’s your family or a neighbor, look for people with whom you can share wisdom and knowledge of the Gospel.
FINANCIAL WELLNESS
Prepared by the GuideStone Team**
Review your Retirement Account to Ensure You’re Invested Correctly
- Shift your perspective from growing your investments to ensuring that you have a sustainable retirement income strategy. Income-generating investments, like bonds, are important, but growth assets, like equities, are still needed. You want to ensure that your money outlives you and not vice versa.
- Talk to a financial planner or advisor.
Educate Yourself on Medicare
Prepare a New Retirement Budget
Develop a will or power of attorney and share the details or location with loved ones.
PHYSICAL WELLNESS
Prepared by nurses, doctors and other medical professionals at Lockton and Highmark*
Stay Moving
- Complete retirement leads to a 5-16% increase in difficulties associated with mobility and daily activities. It is important to try to incorporate a routine that includes walking, swimming or cycling five times a week.
Continue Preventative Care
Stay on Top of Doctor Appointments and Medication
- Talk to your doctor about the best treatment options to manage your condition, as retirement significantly increases the risk of being diagnosed with a new chronic disease such as angina, heart attack, diabetes, stroke, arthritis, cancer, or psychiatric problems.
EMOTIONAL WELLNESS
Prepared by nurses, doctors and other medical professionals at Lockton and Highmark*
Watch for Dementia
- Be attentive to cognitive changes and discuss them openly.
- Develop a plan — for finances, housing, health, legal considerations and long-term care, among other things.
Leave Space for Mourning
- When a loved one passes, allow time to process with others.
- Celebrate the memories and time you shared with them.
Spend Your Time Meaningfully
- Spend your time on activities that bring you fulfillment and happiness.
RELATIONAL WELLNESS
Prepared by nurses, doctors and other medical professionals at Lockton and Highmark*
Spend Time with Family
- Take advantage of the time you have to spend with family members. Share in family vacations and participate in school activities with grandkids as is possible.
Volunteer in the Community
- Stay connected to those who live around you by finding opportunities to donate your time to the community.
Provide Mentorship
- Become a mentor for those with less experience than you and offer them the advice you’ve gained throughout your life.
VOCATIONAL WELLNESS
Prepared by the GuideStone Team**
Serve the Lord
- Ask yourself how you can use this time to biblically love and serve your family, neighbors, church and the world. While retirement may signal an end to working, it leaves you wide open to God’s leading for fulfilling his calling for your life.
- Think of ways to find purpose or meaning outside of oneself and stay open to new opportunities to serve.
- Consider working part-time in retirement if the Lords call you.
Tell Your Story
- Write down what you’ve learned over the course of your life and career and share it with your younger family members.
Write Your Obituary
- Relieve a burden from your family by writing an obituary to help tell your story. It also sharpens your focus on being intentional about what you’d like to accomplish while living.
- Keep your obituary updated yearly.
*Maegen Tabor, RN (Lockton) and Darla Mack, RN (Highmark), supported by Dr. Hale (Lockton) and Dr. Jacobson (Highmark)
**Sharita Bent, Edith Dorsey, Eddy Huskey, David Kieffer, Katie Orgunov, Jordan Puskos, Taylor Rogers, Holly Taylor
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