by Jet Villamor
A lot of people I know, myself included (that was before my awakening), never really thought about retirement when they were a lot younger. It is as if the issue on retirement was taboo in the early days. Retirement only comes into mind when we start feeling tired; we encounter a little problem in the office, or there was a big change in the landscape of where we are working.
A lot of people think that retirement is only a function of age. But retirement is not a mere function of age and more of a function of finances. Mjority of Filipinos that I know–the baby boomers, practically retired by default – because of old age without really actually preparing for it.
The best time to think about retirement is right after graduation from college and the latest should be just right after starting that very first job or just right after receiving the first pay slip.
The earlier the time that we are able to plan and fund our retirement, the better will our financial position be when we are out of work because of old age. When we are no longer working by virtue of our age we should really enjoy our retirement rather than retire from enjoyment when old age reckons.
I would like to share with you a very emotional story that I personally heard from a participant of one of my training sessions. There was this fairly old man in his late 60’s, kind of sickly and was having a hard time writing in the information sheet that I was asking them to fill up, and so I talked to him during the break and, “what made you decide to join the training? Are you really willing to get into the kind of business that we are in?” He answered, “You know what? I thought I would have really wanted to stay at my youngest daughter’s home and stay retired as I know am sickly and I may not be able to handle the pressures of work anymore. That was actually before I accidentally overheard my daughter talking to her elder brother over the phone without her knowing that I heard her”. “Why, what did you hear during their conversation,” I asked. “I overheard my younger daughter say, “Kuya, pede ba, kaw naman muna mag alaga kay papa?” He further heard his daughter relate to her brother, “Last week we had to spend more than P10,000 for his medicines because we had to take him to the doctor. It’s too heavy already for my budget. I still have tuition fees to pay and expenses left and right – dagdag pa si papa – pede ba? – sayo naman muna si papa?”
The poor guy must have felt like shrinking when he heard the conversation. For whose ego will not get hurt when feeling one has become a burden to his loved one? How one would wish he could turn back the hands of time. How one would wish he’d known better; how would one wish he were prepared for retirement.
Had that old man known better and prepared for his retirement, he would have heard a different conversation over the phone. He would have heard his daughter call up her brother saying, “Kuya, pede ba sa akin naman si papa? He has already been staying with you for the longest time. I hope papa will also be staying here in our house so my children will be able to know him better and they can bond.”
There are a lot more touching stories regarding old, retired individuals who were not fortunate enough to prepare for their sunset days. This not because they planned to fail but simply because they failed to plan.
Let us start planning for our retirement the earliest possible time because time is our best ally. A year of delay may cost you a lifestyle that you desire.
(for questions, comments, suggestions and reactions email @ jvvillamor@insular.com.ph)
