Be Social Media Savvy AND STAY CONNECTED
Check a Source Before Sharing Just because something is online, that doesn’t make it true. It’s just as easy for someone to post a lie about a celebrity or politician as it is for Judy to post about her dog. If you read a news story that gets a rise out of you, double check the facts before you hit share. Googling the article’s claims and main points will bring up similar articles — if those claims are true. This will help you determine if it’s breaking news or a big hoax. Just 10 years ago, snail mail and expensive long-distance calls were the only way to keep in touch with the people we couldn’t see every day. Thanks to social media, we can
Are you ready to set out on a grand adventure? It’s time to break the bad news to your grandkids: Social media isn’t just for them. A study from the Pew Research Center found that 47 percent of baby boomers are using social media. Facebook in particular proves to be an excellent resource for adults moving through the later stages of life. This social media platform helps keep you in touch with friends, family members who live far away, and workplace acquaintances who you don’t see during retirement. Social media can help you gather the people you want to keep in contact with in one centralized location. Here are a few things to remember for keeping your digital friendships enjoyable. Social Media Isn’t a Diary No one wants to see a feed clogged with posts from the same person. Your friends might like reading about exciting vacations or days with the grandkids, but they don’t need updates about your wait in line at the grocery store. Sharing TMI (too much information) will put you
stay connected to our loved ones around the world. Now that’s something that deserves a like.
on the fast track to losing friends. It’s Okay to Hit Unfriend
Likewise, if you find yourself sick of Judy’s moment-by-moment updates of her dog’s kidney stone, feel free to cut ties. That might entail unfollowing (you remain friends, but no longer see their posts in your feed), unfriending, or blocking a person entirely.
Do YouWant toWork Post-retirement? Facing the Challenges of Working After 65
A lot of retirees like to work part time after retirement. It’s a great way to stay active, mentally, physically, and within the community. Plus, it brings in supplemental income a lot of retirees use for discretionary spending, rather than dipping into their retirement or investment accounts. In the recent Transamerica Retirement Survey of workers, 56 percent of current workers intend to pursue part-time work post-retirement. However, the survey noted issues with the strategy. While 56 percent of workers intend to work part time in the future, fewer are actually accomplishing that goal. One of the biggest reasons post-retirement work doesn’t happen is a skill mismatch. Industries change and businesses change. As we age, we have to be extra proactive to keep our skills up-to-date. Fall behind, and you give employers a legitimate reason to skip over your résumé. Another challenge retirees — and the workforce at large — face is simply a reduced number of jobs due to automation. The survey also showed that 72 percent of workers have the support of their current employer to continue working after age 65.
However, President Catherine Collinson of Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies (TCRS) says reality is very different. “Look at the labor-force participation rate and you see a very steep decline after age 65.” Employers may be supportive, but many retirees are not sticking around. The problem is, there aren’t many employers that have the ability to shift full-time workers into part-time positions. All too often, it causes productivity and workflow issues within the business. Many businesses need full-time workers to make up the difference, and it doesn’t make logistical sense to keep part-time workers only for the sake of it. If you want to work post-retirement, Collinson gives this piece of advice: “It’s important to have a plan, but also to be mindful that things can happen along the way. You should have a Plan B and maybe even a Plan C. That way, if one pathway doesn’t work out, you’ll have others to follow.”
2 • CampbellWealth.com
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