Retirement is a life journey
Riaan Botha • May 2, 2025
Retirees’ needs differ according to their age. The needs of a 66-year-old differ from those of an 86-year-old. Dr Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, an American-Swiss psychologist, has summarised the life journey’s five phases of retirement as follows:
- The phase of imagination. This period covers the 15 years or more before retirement when people start to imagine or visualise what their retirement will look like one day and how they will enjoy it. This is when they actively plan what finances they will need to enjoy their planned retirement.
- The phase of anticipation. This period begins about five years before retirement. Excitement increases as the retirement date approaches and more specific plans for enjoying retirement are made. Travels are identified and a possible retirement address is discussed. Appointments are made with a financial adviser to determine whether sufficient retirement funds will be available for the planned retirement.
- Liberation. The planned day of retirement has dawned and you experience mixed feelings about the freedom of retirement, the loss of the security of a permanent job with an income and your dependence on your retirement income. The excitement of the new freedom accompanying retirement is estimated to last about two years.
- The phase of reorientation. During this period, the new circumstances of life and opportunities of retirement are enjoyed. These new challenges bring new happiness. Although health and financial issues arise, most retirees enjoy this period which lasts about 15 years.
- The phase of adaptation: During the following years, adaptation occurs, along with the acceptance of an increase in illnesses and restricted movement as part of the limitations of old age. The increasing loss of loved ones and the resulting grief and longing become a part of your existence. More attention is given to the bequeathing of affluence.
Retirement is not a solo journey without the family
With retirees now reaching higher ages, even four-generation families including parents, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are becoming more common. Multigenerational families living in the same city, town or even household ensure that ageing family members do not become isolated or lonely. This prevents retirement from being a solo journey without social support.
Because of the reality that large numbers of young people are leaving South Africa to go work within an established economy internationally, many local retired parents’ children live in other countries. The advanced digital age in which we live, fortunately, makes it easy to maintain contact with overseas family members, but this does not replace personal familial care.
I recently signed up for one of my bucket list items, the demanding Comrades Marathon. It’s something that I always had in the back of my mind, and I said to myself that if I ever where to take on the 87km beast, I am going to be prepared. So, as I successfully entered and received my number, I immediately did 2 things: 1) I got a coach: Someone who is experience and can guide me week by week, month by month leading up to the Ultra Marathon 2) I got a training partner : After using all my persuasion skills, I convinced a friend to join me on this journey. Not only for the comradery, but more as an accountability partner, to make sure I show up for training even though I might not feel like it For many of us, we want to make sure 2026 is our best year yet, not just physically, but financially as well. How can we be more productive and make more money or at least manage it better? In his Book Atomic Habit, James clear writes about the ‘Commitment device’ in chapter 14. A Commitment device, also referred to as the ‘ Ulysses pact’ is a choice you make in the present, that controls your actions in the future. It is a way to lock in future behaviour, bind you to good habits and restrict you from the bad ones. Some examples include: - Eating out of smaller plates – to limit calorie intake. - Unsubscribe to emails and apps – to waste less time - Setting up an outlet timer, to cut off the Wi-Fi at 9pm per night - to limit social media or series binging. - Keep your phone in another room when working – to avoid distractions When it comes to your finances here are a couple of things you can try to make 2026 you most financially rewarding year yet. - Automate your investments: Remove the temptation to spend your money by setting up debit order for the money to be invested as soon as it hits your bank account - Appoint a financial partner – this can be an advisor, friend or spouse: his person must be strict and diligent and keep you to your goals. Schedule quarterly calls to go through your investment accounts to see how much it has grown - Buy groceries only twice a week: We almost always buy things we don’t need – limit your number of visits to the store - Let you partner hide your credit card during the week and have an x amount of cash available. This might sound harsh but can be extremely effective as we swipe or tab often without thinking. There’s so many examples of how we can adjust our behaviour by setting up ‘ Commitment devices. I’d like to hear your favourites so please send them through to geo@bovest.co.za and let’s help each other to make 2026 memorable and profitable. Geo Botha CFP® Marketing Director
Dearest clients and colleagues. While I was contemplating about this month’s topic, I felt led to share the following testimony with all of you. I really hope it will encourage you and call you to action. Before I begin, I am sure you will get enough information about the markets and politics from my colleagues, so I am happy to divert and continue my story. Just a bit of background. I have been on diamond Vitality status with Discovery for many years. I have faithfully done my yearly check ups every year and also the specific tests that Discovery requests. I slipped up after Covid with my mammogram and pap smear and I didn’t know I had to do a colonoscopy. Just before my birthday in July, I had severe stomach pain. I am not a person who likes to visit a doctor but here I certainly learned a lesson. If you have pain, your body is telling you there is something wrong, so don’t be tough, just go and check it out. I was diagnosed with colon cancer. EVERYTHING changes in an instant. The way you look at life, your values, how you see people, your relationship with your Creator and Saviour. Everything happened so fast and I had to go in for major surgery. After 10 days in ICU, fighting for my life and a couple more days in the surgical ward, I was discharged. So many things were going through my mind. Will I see Christmas again? Will I ever be strong enough to enjoy life again? Will I see my children and grandchildren again? Will I have to go for chemotherapy and radiation? Doubt and fear started to slowly enter my mind. The battle is in the mind. Then breakthrough! My tests came back and I was clear. No cancer in my body. Surgery was successful. Oncologist was happy. I do have to be monitored regularly, but praise God? Here I must elaborate. I have a strong support group who carried me in prayer. I have faith in our Almighty God who still heals today. Bovest as a company also supported me phenomenally. Thank you to all 🙏 My message for all of you is the following: please go to the doctor if you have pain or discomfort. Please do your mammogram, pap smear, prostate and colonoscopy tests regularly. Prostate test now is just a blood test. Please make sure your severe illness and income protection cover is in place. You really need it. Speak to your advisor about it. Don’t be like an ostrich, prevention is far better than cure. Surround yourself with positive people. Spend time in the Word. It is alive and it is healing to your body, soul and spirit. You are welcome to reach out to me anytime. May you have an amazing 2026 and please look after yourself. Kind regards Yvonne
