So much retirement planning is about money.  The typical big question is, “Will you have enough to retire comfortably?”  Or even, “When will we have enough to retire?”

It’s certainly important to think about your financial situation and prepare accordingly, but I’d submit that there’s a bigger question you need to answer.

What are you going to do with yourself for all of the days, weeks, months and years ahead?

We may daydream about the freedom of time to call our own – no calendars full of meetings and commitments. But each of us need some kind of purpose in life.  A reason for existing!

You don’t have to have your retirement neatly planned out or know your exact purpose. In fact, you might ‘plan’ for several months of decompression and taking care of your health and fitness, followed by a year of wanderlust. After working for 40 years (give or take) you deserve that freedom.

But from the retirees I’ve talked with, after about a year of taking a deep breath, they’re ready to tackle something. Many of them return to work of one kind or another.  Sometimes back in their career field, and sometimes the former financial analyst takes a role as the marshal on a golf course.

Make time in your retirement planning to think beyond the finances and health insurance to think about your role in 3, 5 or 10 years into retirement.

Is there something you’ve always wanted to try or places you’ve wanted to see…but never had the time? You may want to plan those sooner while your health and energy are better. Is there a church or other organization you’ve wanted to support with your time and presence?  Skills you’d like to improve or learn – music, art, language, technical areas?

Consider it and talk to other retirees about their experiences and ask for their advice.

You don’t have to know all the answers, but you should have a plan.  Listlessness is not a plan!