Debra Dolan sits on a bench in Jericho Beach Park in Vancouver. She was happy to retire in a walkable seaside community where everything is within a few blocks. (Photo by Maggie Naylor)
In Tales from the Golden Age, retirees talk about their spending, savings and whether life after work is what they expected. For more articles in this series, click here.
Debra Dolan, 67, West Vancouver, B.C.
I officially retired in December, 2023, at the age of 65, from a 40-plus-year career in secretarial and administrative work. However, I unofficially retired seven years earlier. I was on long-term disability (LTD) as a result of head injuries sustained in a bus accident on my way to work in 2015. My official retirement was mandated as a result of transitioning from a combined LTD and Canada Pension Plan disability at 65.
I don’t remember anything about the accident. Lawyers and medical practitioners told me never to look at the video, which I haven’t. My LTD was never disputed, and I was well supported by my employer. I still have pain, but I’ve learned to live with it.
Not working, under those circumstances, was hard at first. It was sudden. After more than 40 years of employment, it was difficult to be in the office one day and then never return. There were no goodbyes. That said, I always valued my leisure time and lived below my means, so when I faced the medical challenge, I was prepared for it, both emotionally and financially. If I hadn’t been, it could have been a tragic outcome.
I don’t worry about money in retirement. I always had realistic expectations about what my money could do for me on a secretary’s salary. I never got caught up in the easy money of the past 10 years. I’ve always paid cash for everything. I live solo, have never had children, and take an economical approach to purchases. There are areas I could cut back on if needed. I never worked with a financial advisor, but I did get some good investment advice from a friend. When I reflect, I was preparing for retirement all my adult life.
Retirement is a sweet time of life. I enjoy reading, writing, solo walks, maintaining a household and balcony garden, travelling, visiting friends and time with my long-term darling. I’m living and loving on my own terms.
What’s also lovely about retirement is you don’t have to do anything on the weekends if you don’t want to. You can spread your tasks throughout the week instead of trying to do it all on weeknights or weekends. You can also run errands with more intention; you have time to talk to your neighbour, to the pharmacist. You’re not in a rush.
My advice to others is to look closely at where and how you live in retirement. I’m in a walkable seaside community where everything is within a few blocks and where I have quick access, even by public transit, to a big city with research hospitals, world-class entertainment and shopping, and an international airport. Even though I’m still able to travel, I live somewhere that I don’t need to vacation from.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
Attention retirees! Are you a Canadian retiree interested in discussing what life is like now that you’ve stopped working? The Globe is seeking participants for its Tales from the Golden Age feature, which examines the personal and financial realities of retirement. If you’re interested in being interviewed for this feature and agree to use your full name and have a photo taken, please e-mail us at: goldenageglobe@gmail.com. Please include a few details about how you saved and invested for retirement, and about how you spend your time. We look forward to sharing your story with our readers.