Sir, – I wonder how many public service premature retirees have considered the importance of being useful? Indeed, money is important, but only up to a point. Being retired myself, I can say that the first few weeks/months felt somewhat holiday-like: “Great that I don’t have to go out in this weather!”, etc.
And then, as time goes by, the feelings can evolve to “What will I do tomorrow?” or even “today”.
After all, when you have been motivated by an employer for many decades, you will not easily adjust to the self-motivation which is now necessary for wellbeing.
Most of us lease the best days of our lives to an employer; and while it is fair to claim that retirement is a form of liberation, yet it might be wise to remember also the social machine – and our usefulness within it – that we are leaving behind. For most employees there is a family of colleagues whose sudden absence you will be very aware of. And most will be too busy with their work duties to keep in contact on a separate basis.
Gainful employment should not be abandoned lightly! – Yours, etc,