Semi-Retirement

Semi-retirement has become more than just a buzzword in recent years because more and more semi-retirees are choosing this promising option over retirement. As the baby boomer generation finds itself facing retirement, many of the movers and shakers who helped shape our culture during the great political and social movements of the ’60s and ’70s are not ready to slow down to a full stop yet.

The generation entering retirement today is healthier, wealthier and living longer than generations past. Semiretirement makes sense for those who want to put away a little more money, give back to their community through volunteering or just take time to adjust to a fully retired life.

If you’re on the verge of retirement but aren’t ready to stop working, here are a few things to consider:

• Change your working environment. Why stay in the 9-to-5 office grind? Love being outdoors? In a classroom? Miss that high school job at the bookstore? Revisit the places you love, and find a job there.

• Work for a nonprofit. Go to www.idealist.org for a list of thousands of nonprofit and community organizations needing part-time and full-time work.

• Turn something you love into something you can sell. Make jewelry, play music, paint portraits, pet-sit, write for the local paper. What do you love? Do it.

• Volunteer. If you want to stay active, but don’t need the extra income, find ways to contribute to the community. In western Virginia, the Roanoke-based Council of Community Services provides a full list of area entities www.councilofcommunityservices.org, 540/985-0131.

Some other links:
www.seniorjobbank.com, employment resources for 50+
www.seniors4hire.org, an online career center for 50+
www.volunteerfriends.org, a volunteering site for 55+
www.seniorserviceamerica.org, resources for older adults wanting to work fulfilling community needs www.seniorcorps.org, a network of volunteer programs in foster gransparenting, senior companion and RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program)