retirement

RETIREMENT is perhaps one of the most significant of life events. It brings
on a new role which is often difficult to accept. Retirees are often treated
lightly and made to feel unwanted or worthless.
Perhaps the biggest impact is felt by people who have occupied senior
positions in the civil service or in the private sector. Senior civil servants
are often pampered by underlings. A simple thing as a sudden withdrawal of a
personal driver just a day after retirement can unsettle the newly retired.
The maxim "people only respect the chair you sit on" often rings true.
Financial challenges, loneliness, loss of status and plain idleness can lead
to depression, or what is commonly known as post retirement blues. This is seen
more in men. It is said that women handle retirement better than men because
women also look after children and do household chores despite being career
minded.
Our own Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz admitted that even at the height of her career
as a cabinet minister, she used to try to rush home and cook for her family.
That probably explains why she is all smiles these days!