Retirement is usually linked with no stress, independence, and more relaxing time. However, it also brings monotony to life. After years of working, when retirement brings a sudden stop to it, many people find themselves on the brink of beginning a new way of life sans a purpose. But people who have a purpose are those who inspire others. Recently, the news of Jay Kishore Pradhan having cleared the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) after retirement has drawn tremendous attention. His story is inspiring for both young and old alike. According to a Hindustan Times report, he retired from the State Bank of India (SBI) as a deputy manager. Then, he enrolled in an online programme to pursue his long-held interest in medical science.

He didn’t have to wait long, cleared one of the most competitive national-level exams, and secured a seat at Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) in Odisha. His success inspired others, but how could he have done it? One of the reasons is that he was financially secure and could bear family responsibilities along with paying for the fee for an online programme. And the other one was the passion to pursue what he could not during his busy work life.

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Why Retirement Remains No Longer A Relaxing Period If One Has Money But No Purpose:

Harsh Roongta, founder of Fee-Only Investment Advisers LLP, a SEBI registered Investment Advisory firm, says, “Retirement doesn’t mean you sit idle. People have this false notion created by advertisements that you sit on a beach and sip a martini. That is the fictional stuff. You can do that for three, five, or seven days, but after the 7th day, Martini would start tasting very bitter.”

Roongta highlights that quality of life means a person’s overall well-being, including finances and a purpose.

It highlights two factors; retirement planning is both about tangibles and intangibles, which means financial as well as mental & emotional aspects.

Why Is It Necessary To Have A Purpose Even In Old Age?

Research also shows a link between a sense of purpose in life and a reduced risk of chronic diseases. A research ‘Sense of Purpose in Life and Subsequent Physical, Behavioral, and Psychosocial Health: An Outcome-Wide Approach’, in 2021, also suggests that ‘People with the highest (versus lowest) purpose had better subsequent physical health outcomes (health behaviours, reduced risk of sleep problems) and psychosocial outcomes (higher optimism, lower loneliness).

Experts say that finding purpose is not that complicated. A purpose could be as simple as taking care of your health, preparing food for your family, practising mindfulness, or taking care of

your family. So, the key is to find a purpose that keeps you interested in being and remaining active. Also, it could change with time at different stages of life.

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Never Retire Or FIRE, The Choice Is Yours:

So, whether it is Never Retire or ‘Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE)’, the choice is yours to decide when or whether to retire. Amid this, people like Pradhan have become an emblem that gives a new meaning to retirement and old age. As he made his passion his purpose, persistently followed it and with a sense of purpose and grit, he cleared NEET in 2020 when he was 64.

The idea can be summarised through a quote from the book ‘Grit’ by Angela Duckworth, professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, “I won’t just have a job; I’ll have a calling. I’ll challenge myself every day.”