Retirement Planning Strategies July 2018

Singing, Skiing, and Traveling

JOHN AND LYNNIE’S ADVENTURES

John and Lynnie at Lunga Island, Scotland

When John Elliott retired after 37 years of service with the U.S. Geological Survey, his wife, Lynnie Skinner, had to adjust to having her husband around the house a lot more. As a self-employed writer, singer, and vocal coach, she was used to the only people at home being herself, fellow musicians, and her students. “I have to be honest,” Lynnie says with a laugh, “There was definitely an adjustment period when John retired. At first, I had to learn how to say no, because for the first time in history, John had more free time than me. Over time, though, it’s become awesome. Our domestic teamwork is amazing. I get to make my own schedule. We’ve had the opportunity to do some traveling together, like the three weeks we recently spent in Scotland.” For John’s part, the transition to retirement has given him the chance to pursue some of his many diverse passions. “I made science my career, but I’ve always been interested in art, athletics, anthropology, and outdoor adventures,” he says. Now that he’s no longer working, John has had the chance to devote time to these interests like never before. Additionally, he’s volunteered with many organizations, which is something John’s always wanted to do. “I’m very fortunate to have the privilege of a great family support system and an awesome education. Because of these advantages, I’ve always known that I wanted to give back. Finding out exactly how to do that wasn’t really something I planned. It just sort of happened organically.” John began his post-career volunteer work with his former employer, the USGS. “When I retired, I was working on a few projects that I wanted to ensure produced deliverables,” he recalls. “I loved my job,

and I just wouldn’t have felt right if I left what I was working on in limbo.” From that experience, John has gone on to volunteer with a local irrigation company and a Cherokee citizen’s organization. But his most unique volunteer experiences have come from his work for Ski for Light, where he is a member of the board of directors. Ski for Light is a nonprofit that helps people who are visually and mobily impaired enjoy cross-country skiing. John began helping out as a sighted guide when his friend, a former Paralympic skier, introduced him to the organization. Since then, he’s served as a guide for many events, including some in Norway, the birthplace of Ski for Light’s principles. “It was a tremendous honor to be one of the four Americans to go to Norway as a guide. It was an experience I’ll never forget,” John says. Did John have any trepidations about transitioning from work life to retirement? “Well,” he replies, “I didn’t have any concerns about how I would fill my time, but I didn’t know what my financial future would hold. It was really Ann’s seminars that put me at ease. Ann’s greatest asset is that she’s very knowledgeable about the particularities of working in the public sector. Her experience is unrivaled. She’s also very creative, enthusiastic, and easy to trust,” Lynnie adds. Lynnie’s approach to retirement is much different than John’s. “Being self-employed, I don’t really see a time where I’ll ever retire outright. As long as my work is still valuable for making music, writing, and my voice students, you can bet I’ll be doing it.” John and Lynnie are proof that there’s no one way to retire. What matters is making sure that you get the most from life. They certainly are doing that.

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