Retirement

Retirement – In a word, it sucks!

There was a time in this country when people looked forward to retiring. In the true sense of the word, they were retiring from service, public or private, and looked forward toward a slower pace and being rewarded for their many years of work. We’re talking about the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s here. And then things changed!

Today, retirement to most means a relinquishment of their control on their lives in favor of a government sponsored “hush.” This can take the form of pathetic social security checks but often manifests itself as a reduction of worth. In today’s world, retired people are generally seen as non-persons who would be better off dead. Society it seems has little respect for those who have built this country. They are seen as yesterday’s expendable drones.

Generally shunned by America, seniors are often left with only other seniors as friends. After all, who wants to hang around with a bunch of geezers. This in itself tends to narrow life and bring negative affects of socialization to many retired people. The remedy, in some cases, is for seniors to share their life experience and mentor the younger generations. That’s the positive spin! It is often rare but worth considering.

Then there is Social Security. It is NOT a gift from the government. I repeat: It is NOT a gift. These monies have been paid out of countless pay checks throughout the years are are doled-out by the government as if it was their cash. Adding insult to injury, often there is no COLA (Cost Of Living Allowance) which is known to the general public as a pay raise. Virtually everyone in America gets a pay raise except seniors. The federal government has dipped into Social Security funds repeatedly for financing wars and other useless ventures and has said for years that there is a funding crises. Of course there is a crisis; the government made one by dishonestly borrowing from everyone’s social security account. While these are mere words to younger people, the situation comes into a much stronger focus when someone starts receiving their pittance.

You’ve probably heard at least a few older people say, “I work harder now than when I had a job!” It is true. When one is retired, it takes more effort to get anything done. Often, the money just isn’t there so many tasks are “selfies.” Plumbers, electricians and gardeners are often left out in favor of saving some much needed money. Indeed retired people do work harder; it’s hard just staying alive!

Retirement – Think about it long and hard before you arrive there and know that along the way you are bound to be heading for a big surprise!

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Read author Allen E. Rizzi’s latest books available at Amazon.com