It will be about this time that we think about retirement. Some look forward to it with great anticipation; a marvellous release from the daily grind, or rat race as some call it. Time at last to do all the things we longed to do. To enjoy a long holiday; visit far‑off places that were only names on a map; sample all those unread books or take up a new interest. To exploit life to the full and give the pension scheme a good run for its money; quoting with zest the lines of Browning, "Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be".
Others face retirement with apprehension. The presentation ceremony on the last day at work becomes a sharp reminder of the onward march of time, and there can come a subtle feeling that one is no longer required.
Anticipated or dreaded, the time will come, so we should give thought to it in good time; at least two or three years is not too long for making the detailed preparations.
Some business firms send their employees on Retirement Preparation Classes so that they come to grips with all the implications involved, and a little nearer the time they are given extra days off work so that they can actually get the feel of being retired, because there are psychological as well as practical elements to be taken into account.