Just vast!
12 June 2025I took a trip on a ship to Norway recently to see the Fjords. They are as beautiful as they first appear, and the locals seem relaxed in their general outlook and demeanour.
The seas were thankfully kind to us as we travelled to and from our destination across the North Sea. And the sea is vast, just vast! Other than the occasional dot on the horizon of the outline of a fellow ship traversing the waters, there was nothing other than sea and sky. Nothing unusual I appreciate, but just a reminder of how much space there is, and how much exploring there is to do, if you are minded and have the time. And retirement may well provide you with the time.
On many of the blog pages that we produce, we detail rules, regulations, options and financials to consider what monetary outcome can be achieved through financial planning at retirement. However, there are two commodities in life, and these are usually money and time, perhaps with the latter having the greater value.
And importantly, how long have you got, both in terms of longevity, and in terms of mobility, capacity, and health? At age 65, in the southeast, you might live on average to the age of 85-90 as one parameter. 20 years of no work might also seem vast, and you anticipate that the first decade might be more active than the latter. Again, something to plan for as you think about (hopefully) all the things that you have put off and want to do in the earlier years of your retirement. An interesting point mentioned by a client or two to us is that the ongoing affordability of travel insurance in older ages may be the cause of curtailed travel plans. Of course, the possible future costs of long-term care also need to be considered.
Whatever your plans are, do make sure you have a plan. You worked hard to get to retirement, and with the possibility of 20 years + ahead, make it work for you. We have had some clients note the moaning of their children ‘who can never get hold of us in retirement, we are so busy’! That ultimately is as good an outcome as the financials that were established to make it work for them. It can be daunting at first when you contemplate the vast space ahead of you. You’ve just got to fill it in.
Plan your time ahead for retirement and enjoy…or ‘Nyte’ as they might stay in Norway!
Please do speak to the team at Chapters Financial about your overall financial planning position, needs and aspirations for the future when thinking about your retirement, and perhaps most importantly what you plan to achieve with the time you will have available.
No individual advice is provided during the course of this blog.
Keith Churchouse FPFS
Director
CFP Chartered FCSI
Chartered Financial Planner
Chapters Financial Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, number 402899
