First, a few prefatory comments about this section of Retirement Security dot com.
This section is entitled “retirement security / philosophy”. I gave it that name because I like the work “philosophy” for its “broad sweep”, the way it encompasses or includes (at least to me) so many variations of “mind stuff”: transcendent stuff (hard to grasp, abstract, some call this realm BS – which at times it can/may be), attitude (most get that), principles, and more.
I’ve added the section because the word or concept “security” is itself a bit abstract: one man’s “security” is another woman’s nightmare or set up for failure. While you may have come here looking for solutions or practical advice I see retirement security a bit more broadly, on a larger scale or part of a larger context. (I’d use the word “wholistically” but it’s a bit overused and presumptuous at times to think any one of use “gets it all”.)
I would like to keep reminding all of us that while we are all struggling with the numbers – “Will I have enought?”, “I don’t have enough! What can I do?” – that we all, always, take the time to keep things in context or perspective.
No, I’m not here to advocate for lowering expectations, preparing to live with less – though a little less excess consumption might be a good idea – I am here to write about how life can be enjoyed by those “with less” just as life can be miserable for those with more, some who cling to the delusion that despite personal misery “I’m a winner, because I have more!” A secure retirement can be as much, if not more, about knowing you have the capacity to be happy and adjust and make the best of whatever comes.
From my perspective there’s the dream of a happy retirement, which is often mass produced and marketed – glossy images and all – and then there’s retirement as a project, an endeavor, adventure, a stage of life or process, or however you choose to hold or contextualize the idea.
Ergo, I say “philosophy” – the philosophy of retirement security.