"I don’t love the word ‘retirement,’" says Mehbs Remtulla, photographed here in his Toronto home. "It suggests an ending. What I experienced felt much more like a transition, and transitions can be disorienting."Sammy Kogan/The Globe and Mail
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.
Mehbs Remtulla, 72, Toronto
I retired, in the traditional sense of the word, in 2003 at the age of 50. I sold my advertising and communications agency when I was 46 and then stayed on for four years to help with the transition. I didn’t think much about what to do next; it just seemed like a good financial deal and a good time to exit. Running a business was a lot of fun, but I got burned out.
At first, retirement felt liberating. I imagined a slower pace with more travel, learning and spending more time with my wife and kids. My two daughters were teenagers at the time, preparing for university, and I was eager to be more present for them and more attentive to my health.
For a while, that vision held. I joined two non-profit boards: one focused on delivering essential nutrients to children in the developing world, and another providing health care insurance services in Canada. I mentored start-ups, travelled to Japan, India, Africa and South America, and enjoyed small luxuries such as going to the gym mid-morning.
But after about six months, something unexpected happened: I felt restless. I wasn’t unhappy or bored. I just felt untethered. I hadn’t anticipated how much structure, identity and quiet purpose running a business had provided.
In 2019, I founded a not-for-profit social venture called What’s neXT50, a community of individuals who have left full-time work and are looking to stay engaged in a purposeful manner in what we call the third chapter of life.
I don’t love the word ‘retirement.’ It suggests an ending. What I experienced felt much more like a transition, and transitions can be disorienting.
What surprised me most were three common losses I saw in myself and others: identity, networks and purpose. They show up regardless of career success or income level. If I could do anything differently, I would have sought out people who had already gone through this transition and learned from their experience sooner.
I was very fortunate to be financially okay, having sold my business and having worked with financial advisors since my early 30s to help me save and invest.
Even so, retirement required a mindset shift from growth to preservation, and that took time. Over the years, I changed advisors before finding the right fit. What I learned is that financial security matters, but confidence matters just as much.
My wife and I review our plans regularly and stress-test assumptions. The goal isn’t excess; it’s confidence that we can live well without constant financial anxiety. We’ve always lived within our means. That said, I still drive around the block looking for cheaper parking. Some habits don’t change!
My advice for others approaching their retirement years is to plan for it earlier than you think you might need to. That not only means financially, but socially and emotionally.
Build relationships outside of work. Take your health seriously. Stay curious. Most importantly, don’t try to navigate this transition alone. Being part of a community makes a real difference.
This interview has been edited and condensed
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 what your life is like now.