Why it pays to be #RetireReady
My parents immigrated to Canada on Christmas Day of 1974 with an infant, a few hundred dollars and a dream for a new future. They devoted their lives to putting their every dollar into educating my siblings and I and providing us a life they only dreamt up growing up in their native homes of India and Pakistan. Planning for retirement was a far-off dream for them. When they neared retirement age, I witnessed first-hand the stress it placed on them to not have the financial security they deserved after a life of working hard and providing for their family.
I’ve learnt from their experience. While my own retirement is still a while away, I know that it is critical to start early. Financial security is important to me. Planning ahead, while not always easy, pays off.
When I close my eyes and think of retirement, I think of financial security, being able to travel and have a studio to paint in. I am a huge fan of the arts and would love a dedicated space in which to explore my creativity. I also think of being able to spend time with my children and grandchildren and being able to help them out financially if/when needed.
The truth is, growing up I didn’t have many examples of financial security within my community of South Asian immigrants. Many of the families we knew were young immigrants like my parents and those with older parents typically all lived together. The elders didn’t have any plans for retirement (from what I knew) other than living with their children. When my paternal grandmother immigrated to Canada in her 60’s, she was a widow. She took turns living with each of her children’s families.
The concept of retirement was foreign to me and I knew very little about it. I assumed having your parents live with you was the norm when I was a child. I know this is the reality for thousands of culturally diverse immigrant families yet many don’t learn about retirement until it’s too late.
You can accomplish a lot in pre-retirement, the 15 years before you retire. Talk to TD about becoming #RetireReady
So when you close your eyes and dream about your retirement, what do you see? A beach? The forest? Are you active? Maybe you volunteer? The reality is that retirement is going to be different for all of us.
Head into TD for a goals-based assessment where they get to know the real you, not the numbers, so you can become #RetireReady today.
Retirement can look different for everyone –nobody’s life is a straight line. Come in for a TD goals-based assessment and begin your path toward becoming #RetireReady
I am thankful for the lessons I have learnt when it comes to being #RetireReady what are some other examples you can think of to prepare for retirement? Share your ideas in the comments below.
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DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored by YMC on behalf of TD. All opinions are 100% my own.
Great post Fariha! I often worry about my future especially since I’m going to be on disability for the rest of my life. I was smart and jumped on the opportunity to get an RDSP (Disability Savings) from the government with grants & bursaries so it’s a little financial support for later.
Thank you Jason. I’m really glad you were proactive and were able to get the RDSP. Wishing you increasing health and a prosperous tomorrow.
I am already getting my retirement saved up. The more I know I can throw in there the better! I am not retirement ready yet but I’ve got a good start.
Having a retirement fund is so important. I need to beef mine up just a little more.
Great information! I plan to travel a lot when I retire so I want to be sure I have enough money to do so.
It’s definitely a good idea to plan for retirement as early as you can. I like the idea of orienting yourself for the road to retirement.
These are great tips and reminders!! It is so important to invest in your future now and not when it’s too late.
When I picture my retirement, I see many vacations and traveling! It is important to think about! Great tips!
Good information. We have been saving for a few years and each year add a bit more to the pot. Will probably never be enough but something is better than nothing.
Great tips! It is so important to start thinking about retirement way before you have to!
This is a good read! I agree with you, it’s really important to have financial security and to start early. It’s not just for yourself but for your family!
This is really great info. My husband has a 401k and 457, but we were just talking about how we really don’t know if we are using them correctly or how it works when we need them!
Planning for retirement is so important. CPP alone isn’t enough in this day and age.
I am definitely not ready for retirement. I need to start saving. We are TD clients so we will have to set up an appointment.
This is such an important post. I’m so not ready for it but it’s definitely something we need to start talking about!