Retirementors and the Gifts They Give

Mitch Anthony

Retirementors are masters of their own destiny––refusing to accept society’s norms for when the game is finished. They are enthused with the belief that while the aging process continues, being “old” is in the locus of their control. Retirementors continue to live life to its fullest…regardless of age.

I have an unusual and privileged vantage point on this issue as I travel throughout the country speaking to financial advisors and their clients. After my presentations, the best examples of what I’m talking about generally walk up and introduce themselves and their amazing stories. These bright, articulate, purposeful, and grateful individuals tell me remarkable, life-changing stories. 

Buzz Rogers (of WebsterRogers LLP) shared the following story about his dad––a true retirementor––and graciously agreed to let me share it with you: 

My dad will be 93 in April. He lettered in gymnastics at UNC in the late 30s where he played sax in a jazz band and became a pilot. He was a Marine fighter pilot instructor during WWII, won third place in the World Acrobatics Championships in 1953, and was a competitive water skier in the early 1960s. He has remained physically fit during his entire life. Back in the 50s and 60s (when few adults exercised), he did pushups, chin-ups and sit-ups in the house almost every day since there were no fitness centers in Florence back then. He had a stunt plane until his mid 70s, still played the sax until his late 80s, water skied until 89 (go to website www.emeraldlakeski.com to see four generations of Rogers’ skiing together (as put together by the ABC affiliate here), goes to his office five days a week, and still goes to the gym three days a week. At 90, he went with us on a two week trip to Hawaii where he went on every side trip, riding in dune buggies, climbing down a treacherous path to a water fall, walking out and jumping into the pool below, taking an hour long helicopter trip over the Big Island, and walking a quarter mile up a steep path to the top of a volcano crater at about 10,000 feet. He drives and does his own grocery shopping, laundry, etc. He has the most refreshing and positive outlook on life.

We just finished building a house on our beloved Emerald Lake with a garage apartment for him. It has a bedroom, bath, kitchenette, and a music room for him, plus we put in an elevator to the suite. The project planning started about four years ago––not knowing what his health might be by the time the house was finished. We wanted to be able to take care of him if he got the flu or hurt, to stay with us on the weekends, or live with us whenever he wanted…or had to.

When he asked why we were putting in an elevator, I told him, “In case you need it someday.” He replied, “The day I need an elevator, I am outa’ here.”

PS: Tomorrow he leaves with me to drive to Nashville (9 hours) to attend the Country Music Association award show on Wednesday evening where my oldest son is one of the five nominees as a producer.

What a story! (The video is also fantastic––I highly recommend it!) As you celebrate this month, remember that gifts come in all shapes and sizes, but one of the most precious is that of the retirementors (and family members) around us.  The best thing about a gift like this, is that it’s priceless.

Read more about retirementors in The New Retirementality: Planning Your Life and Living Your Dreams…at Any Age You Want, Third Edition by Mitch Anthony (©2008 Mitch Anthony). Published by John Wiley and Sons, Inc. Available at http://www.mitchanthony.com/BOOK_New_Retire.html.

Through December 15, order 25 or more copies of the book, and get 35 percent off!  Click here for details…

Mitch Anthony is the founder and president of Advisor Insights Inc. and The Financial Life Planning Institute, global training companies serving advisors and the financial services industry. He is the author of several books for advisors including StorySelling for Financial Advisors. Mitch’s newest book, The Cash in the Hat is available from Insights Press (http://mitchanthony.com/BOOK_Cash_in_the_Hat.html). Mitch Anthony is a contributing editor for Research magazine and his column “Financial Life Planning” appears in Financial Advisor magazine. He has been named a “Mover & Shaker” by Financial Planning magazine and is frequently quoted by the media as an expert on financial life planning.

Contact him at mitch@mitchanthony.com.

© 2008 Mitch Anthony