a hobby into a paycheck.
LATs (living apart together): Couples in committed relationships who maintain separate residences. Kevin R., for example, had a number of corporate transfers that required him to live in several different states throughout his career, but his wife, Caroline, a nurse, remained in their home in Michigan until Kevin retired.
LTAs (living together apart): No longer a couple, but remaining in the same household because of finances, children, or the perception of social stigma.
Quiz: Are You Ready to Launch Your Retirement?
For each question, please choose the statement which best fits your thinking and frame of mind at the present time. More than one answer may seem appropriate but you must pick only one.
1 How do you feel about giving up your job and career?AMy career is history. I'm ready to open a new chapter.BI would enjoy meeting other retirees from my profession.CI would like to stay up to date with trends and developments in my profession just to keep my hand in it.DOnce retired I'll be happy to mentor younger people in my profession.
2 How open are you to new adventures in your retirement?AI'll probably do things I've done in my past, but now I'll have more time for them.BI'm itching to try some things I never had time for during my career.CI don't plan on changing my leisure activities that much.DI earned my retirement so I'm going to have fun doing nothing.
3 What part will exercise play in your retirement?AMy outdoor activities will keep me in good shape.BI'll keep my weight in check by walking.CI plan to have a regular daily exercise program.DI probably won't have a planned exercise program.
4 Do you plan to include weight training?AWeight training may do me more harm than good.BWeight and resistance training will be part of my exercise program.CI'll get enough exercise through aerobic activities.DBody building for seniors doesn't make sense to me.
5 How “home-based” will your retirement be?AI'll spend a lot of time at home doing at least one of these activities – watching TV, talking on phone, doing household chores, working on computer, reading.BChilling out at home is my idea of retirement.CIf I am home too much I have to get out.DI expect to spend a good deal of time carrying on activities outside the home.
6 How does your spouse's retirement coincide with your own?AMy spouse has already retired.BMy spouse does not plan to retire any time soon.CMy spouse and I plan to retire together (within an 18-month period).DI don't have a spouse.
7 What is the status of your children?AI still have children living at home.BI have no children living at home.CI have “boomerang kids” who may want to return home for a while.DI have no children.
8 Are you at risk for depression?AI have suffered bouts of depression in the past.BMy spouse has had some problems with depression.CI have no history of depression.DI get anxious now and down at times but not what you'd call clinical depression.
9 Are you a “hobby person”?AI have no major hobbies but I may find one during retirement.BI have some hobbies to keep me busy.CI don't really need any hobbies to enjoy retirement.DThere is at least one current hobby that I can devote more time to during retirement.
10 How active are you in community organizations?AI'm not a joiner.BI plan to become active in some organizations once I retire.CI'm already active in several church/social/civic organizations.DI belong to some organizations, but I'm not very active.
11 Do you like volunteer work?AI already do volunteer work when I find time.BI have other activities that keep me busy and don't need volunteer work.CI prefer to work for pay.DI plan to volunteer some of my time during retirement.
12 What friends do you spend the most time with?AI have close friends from work and outside of work.BI make friends easily and my time with them varies widely.CI spend as much as half of my social time with friends I know from work.DI spend only a small part of my time socializing with work friends.
13 Do you have a good support network?AI have at least five close friends that I see often.BMy social circle includes more than a dozen good friends.CI enjoy my own company and am not really a social person.DI have one or two friends I see regularly.
14 How will travel play a role in retirement?AI enjoy travel more than my spouse.BI enjoy being close to home.CI enjoy travel and look forward to many trips during retirement.DMy spouse enjoys travel more than myself.
15 How important is family time in retirement?AI look forward to family visits during retirement.BI plan to spend more time with family during retirement.CVisits to family members won't play much of a role in retirement.DVisits to my spouse's family are too frequent or too long.
16 Do you and your spouse (or significant other) enjoy doing things together?AWe don't have the same interests.BWe have some interests in common.CWe like doing things together and separately.DI don't have a spouse or significant other.
17 Will learning and study play a role in retirement?AIt may play a role if I find something I like.BI finished school a long time ago. Why go back to the classroom?CMy spouse or friends have encouraged me to take some courses.DTaking courses on various subjects will make retirement more interesting.
18 How's your work/play ethic?AI earned my rest so I don't plan to work at anything too hard.BI'll throw myself into my retirement just as I did my work.CThe less the work the less the stress in my retirement.DI won't mind work as long as it's not too taxing.
19 Will you be acting your age during retirement?ANow that I'm older I will be restricting some of my activities.BI expect health problems will have some effect on my retirement.CFor the immediate future I expect only a few physical limitations.DI don't feel my age. Mentally I am decidedly younger.
20 Does the TV keep you company?AOn a typical day I have regular TV shows I watch.BI watch TV but I prefer to be doing other things.COn a typical day TV is my main source of entertainment.DI watch TV fewer than three hours a day.
21 How easily will success come in retirement?AI succeeded in my career and I'll be just as successful in retirement.BI will have to change gears and think differently in retirement than I did during my career.CSucceeding at retirement may take a little work.DI'm not sure.
22 Will you have enough money for retirement?AGood financial planning will pave the way for my retirement success.BI plan to work part-time to make sure ends meet.CI'm not sure how financially prepared I am.DIt will be touch-and-go on the money but I'll get by.
23 Will your native skills help you in retirement?AI'm still at the top of my game.BI'm not as mentally sharp as I was 20 years ago.CRetirement means I won't have to push myself, so I'm not concerned about skills.DEmployers don't want an over-the-hill person like me for good-paying jobs.
24 How's your health?AGood. No chronic diseases and the same for my spouse (if you have one).BI'm okay but my spouse has a serious health problem.CI have some health issues but my goal is to not let them slow me down.DMy health is a problem and may seriously affect my retirement activities.
25 Are you prepared for retirement?AI've been looking forward to it for a long time, so I'll be okay.BOf course. I don't have to prepare for goofing off.CI've planned a few things that should be fun.DI've done a lot of planning and research on what I will do with my time.
“Are You Ready to Launch Your Retirement?” Scoring
1 (A)4; (B)2; (C)1; (D)2
2 (A)3; (B)4; (C)1; (D)0
