Synopses & Reviews
So you’re approaching retirement – what’s next?As an over-sixty today you are likely to be very much healthier than previous generations of retirees and you’re close to outnumbering the younger age group. So why should they have all the fun? The grey pound is particularly strong, and the so-called Third Age, holds the largest proportion of the country’s disposable income. Long-term, empty-nesters have more money and leisure time than ever so cannot be ignored, but finding the smoothest way to cross the chasm from work to retirement and make the most of the huge variety of opportunities open to you requires forethought, planning, a sense of humour and a copy of this book.
The Freedom Years is an up-beat and humorous look at some of the challenges and opportunities presented as you move from work to retirement. Most people don’t give much thought to how they’ll adjust and don’t have a clue what’s going to hit them, but this witty and inspirational guide is all you need to convince you that the best is yet to come.
'At last...a book that exposes the myths if ageing. About time too!' John Humphrys
'It's not three score years and ten anymore; it's four score years and ten - Michael Shea has great plans for you for thoe extra twenty years.' Sir David Frost
'We may slow down a bit as we age, but this book demonstrates how we can all keep on winning.' Sir Jackie Stewart OBE
Review
Synopsis
Are you approaching the age of retirement, soon to be put out to pasture?
The you are about to enter the Golden Age of Ageing.
Rethink everything you know about that dirty word 'retirement', argues Michael Shea. Today, most septuagenarians have better health than fifty year olds did mere half century ago. You have more control over your time than you have ever had before.
Be creative and make your retirement profitable and enjoyable. Michael Shea is doing just that and is in inspiring and witty book he imparts his wisdom on the best years of our lives:The Freedom Years that lie ahead.
Synopsis
To make the most of our retirement we need forethought, planning and, above all, a copy of this book.
Too many of us are inclined to switch into neutral gear as we leave full-time employment behind us. But that can be both wasteful and destructive. It's no longer three score years and ten we're aiming at, but four score years and more of active and productive life. There's an exciting landscape out there wafting for us in Our Freedom Years but on the way there is also the tricky transition between the familiar world of work and the challenges and rewards of retirement.
The Freedom Years shows how to take stock of the vast array of opportunities that are open to us from no on. It questions the stereotypes surrounding retirement and offers advice on how to ease ourselves through this crucial life change. With cartoons by Frank Dickens, The Freedom Years carries a wealth of inspirational, practical and fun advice on growing older healthily, meaningfully, productively and gracefully (or even a little disgracefully if we prefer it). Face the challenge, overcome the difficulties that confront us, and make the most of the Freedom Years.
About the Author
Michael Shea holds a PhD in economics. A former diplomat who was seconded to the UK Cabinet Office, he served in Africa, Germany, Romania and New York before becoming Press Secretary to Her Majesty the Queen. He has chaired many public sector organisations and commercial companies, and still sits on numerous boards. All of which has formed an admirable preparation for his active non-retirement, which he also spends as a writer of novels and non-fiction, as a consultant, and as a popular public speaker.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements.
Introduction.
1. Prime Time Planning.
2. Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics.
3. Cresting the Age Wave.
4. Switchover Tactics.
5. Death to Ageism.
6. Been There, Done That.
7. Ditching the Downside.
8. Twinges at the Hinges.
9. Bonfire on the Cardigans.
10. Topical Tactical Tips.
11. Getting On with Getting On.
12. Use It or Lose It.
Conclusion: Signposts to the Future.