by Frederick A. Babb

Created on: May 23, 2008   Last Updated: August 02, 2009

Five golden rules to enjoy the endless golden years.

Like an athlete heading towards scoring, we all envision our retirement as the ultimate achievement of our working years. The other reason we look forward towards retirement is because the Plan B means we don't arrive to retirement and that is simply not a very attractive alternate plan. As in the working world, retirement comes down to the funds you have available to determine the quality of your retirement. Unfortunately, an estimated 42% of Americans fail to evaluate the financial impact which comes with switching from a steady paycheck to a social security income.

There are five simple rules to planning retirement. The younger you are, the easier the list is going to be to follow and prepare for enjoying your retirement. For those pushing pass 50, playing catch up may be a bit difficult in some of the ideas, but your own situation and your own desires of how you want to spend your retirement years will be the driving factor behind how much sacrifices you make today.

1. Determine how to reach retirement in one piece.

More important than any other aspect, your health is the most significant aspect when you reach retirement age. Reaching retirement in good health translates into enjoyment to compensate the decades of work. The best way to achieve this goal is to sticking to a healthy diet, exercising regularly and keeping the brain cells active are the best ways of participating in a long life. Of course Mother Nature always has the last word in our health and sometimes the outcome doesn't seem fair. But, if each person doesn't take a large part of responsibility over their own health, retirement will be short, if at all a reality.

2. Determine what you plan on doing in retirement.

Picture yourself, for a moment, eating the retirement cake and walking out of your workplace, with your gold watch in the pocket and a cardboard box representing forty or more years of services in your hands. You have reached retirement age and you are saying, "Now what?" Are you active in some type of hobby that will give you a reason to wake up each morning? Do you have a list of "things to do" that have built up over the years? Have you had the desire to visit some far away paradise before St. Peter places you on his roll call? Whatever your plans are, lay them out and prepare for how you will accomplish them.

3. Determine how retirement will affect your marriage.

Nothing is more romantic than growing old

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