In Stories from the Golden Ageretirees talk about their expenses, their savings and whether life after work is what they expected. Kathryn Brookfield, 69, Winchester, Ont. I retired about 11 years ago, at the age of 58, after a career as a high school teacher and later as a manager in a federal public service union in Ottawa. I suffered from depression and work was very stressful. I had a very good retirement and decided it was time to stop working to focus on my mental and physical health. It was a huge relief to be able to do this for myself. My late husband, who was six years older than me, owned an advertising agency in Ottawa and started winding down around the same time. In 2011, when we both retired, we moved to Wellington, Ont., Prince Edward Country, where we lived for 10 years. We had a great time there, but then decided to move to Winchester – about a 30-minute drive south of Ottawa – which was more accessible for our families and made it easier to provide specialized health care services. Sadly, my husband passed away in May 2021, before we moved into our new home. In April he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died a few weeks later. It was very unexpected. It also made me rethink my retirement plans. I have decided to sell our house, which I moved into in November, and will be moving into a rental apartment in Ottawa this fall. It is a wonderful place that overlooks the Ottawa River. I decided to rent from now on so as not to tie up my capital. I’m investing and planning to travel a lot more now that pandemic restrictions are easing. My bucket list includes cruises on the Nile and Danube rivers, and I’ve booked a trip to Paris next June. My advice to others is that if you are healthy enough and have the money, go on a trip as soon as possible. And enjoy spending time with your partner, because you never know what might happen. I also recommend getting involved in your community to stay active and engaged in writing. Personally, I like volunteering where I can use my brain and spend time outdoors. Over the years I have volunteered at local gardens and as an English teacher. I have also done fundraisers for various non-profits. It is very rewarding to be able to help others. My advice: Think about what you like in life and then see if you can translate that into something where you can meet new people, get involved in your community and find a real sense of belonging. As told to Brenda Bouw This interview has been edited and condensed. Be smart with your money. Get the latest investment information delivered straight to your inbox three times a week with the Globe Investor newsletter. Sign up today.
