Retirement years are supposed to be easy and carefree. Nobody looks at the years of service and crisis situations linemen go through to get there.
This blog post is specifically for retired utility lineman but can be said for almost all career paths – nurses, accountants, teachers – you name it. Linemen, like most occupations to get to a healthy retirement, must work many hours of overtime in some of the roughest conditions including after hurricanes, blizzards or floods.
Finding Footing in Retirement
This commitment and time spent brings an identity to someone. When retirement happens, the identity is sometimes lost, and the retiree needs to reestablish. Most people I talk to regain their identity as a grandparent or more involved in their church or community. But some people struggle with this, and they seem lost with their newfound time.
Ease the Transition
Things people can do to help ease this transition:
Join a golf league or card club. The social interaction will pass the time, but you will gain relationships with people that likely have similar interest as you.
Organize lunches with former co-workers. These social interactions will allow you to tell stories from the past and keep friends.
Volunteer your time. As a former lineman, you have a skillset others need. You may be able to help with maintenance projects at community centers, churches or grandchildren’s school. People still need your help.
The emotional journey of retirement, when proactively managed, can be transformative. Schedule a conversation to talk about your transition into the retirement you want.
Opinions expressed by the owner of this content do not reflect an endorsement by Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, or its affiliates.
