It has been almost a year now since I retired. Too soon, said many friends and relatives who knew I wasn’t due to be YB (Yang Bersara and not Yang Berhormat) until 2024.

It sparked some speculations and assumptions. People around me wondered whether this was due to the increased pressure or heavy workloads.

Was this about me wishing to pursue better opportunities, needing a better work-life balance or I must have earned enough to live comfortably? The list seems endless.

Ultimately, they respected my decision; whatever my plans.

Preparation for retirement

In truth, I have been preparing for early retirement for a long time. From the very beginning, I have set the following objectives upon retirement:

• Live the life I would like to live
• Do something that shall be good to those around me, and, contribute to the betterment of the wider population
• If possible or rather, should the opportunity arises, I will find a job or launch a business that shall give me freedom, autonomy and empowerment.

I happen to believe that the amount of savings to sustain a certain lifestyle is subjective. Sometimes the more you have, the more you want. One should be decisive in wishing to be contented. Let’s focus on quality rather than enslaving to one’s desire.

On the other hand, there are people who wish to delay their retirement. Delaying retirement past the normal retirement age can be a matter of personal choice.

If you really love your job, for example, you might not be content with retiring at 60. Instead, you may want to work for as long as you’re healthy and able to do your job.

Most importantly we need to enjoy each stage of life, plan ahead for the next stage and make sure we have the sort of support in place by the time we’re there.

There are indications that there is a link between being prepared for retirement and welcoming it.

Usually, the person will have a better mental and psychological state, strong will, patience, perseverance and determination which broaden the horizon and helps him better understand himself as well as the surrounding world.

At this point, do allow me to allude to the 2023/24 retirement outlook. There are a host of obstacles and challenges ranging from high inflation to rising interest rates.

Ideal Retirement Time

We need to be aware that there is no such thing as an “ideal time to retire”. People are very hesitant to take this decision to quit early.

They will lose their salaries, housing allowance, medical insurance and perhaps even the affluence they may have acquired as official employees, given their position or stature.

Retirement comes around much quicker than any of us can imagine, so it is great to plan and prepare: whether this be considering key factors like where you live or how much money you have saved for it.

I am of the opinion that we should put in our best effort in studying the situation well before making the decision, taking advice from sincere and honest people and finally entrusting Allah the Almighty.

Pre-Retirement

My life has changed in countless ways from the time I graduated from university, entered the full-time workforce, changed jobs and got married.

Friends have come and gone, my hobbies have evolved and my body has changed (I no longer can recover from a workout as rapidly as I used to, and I have developed pain in my joints and spine).

Anyway, I am satisfied with what I have achieved and happy to accept my destiny planned by Allah.

My goal had always been to work hard, invest smart and retire early. When I reached 50 years old, I already started daydreaming about retirement.

I often talk to myself that I should spend more time with my family and relatives and also feels that I have to improve my relationship with my friends. Furthermore, I feel that I also must take care of my health and contribute to my country (not becoming a politician!)

I discussed this with my wife on the idea and she agreed for us to gift some thought to my early retirement plan. Initially, we agreed for me to retire when I reach 55 years old.

However, due to the work commitment and other personal reasons, I extended my decision for about two years.

By the end of 2021, we decided it was the right time to put the plan into motion. As it happens my last day at work was on Aug 31 last year, Merdeka Day. That was the moment I gained empowerment plus liberation after working for more than 30 years.

As a gift to myself, I bought a Perodua car with the registration number xxx6522 – sixty-five years since we gained independence.

Alhamdulillah, I am still in reasonably good health and be able to live an active and independent lifestyle. I don’t feel old, as yet! Being busy and active at this stage of life is good for me both mentally and physically.

I decided to continue to stay in Paka after 20 years of working in the oil and gas industry in Kertih. (yet I still speak deep accent Kedahan) I don’t see the reason or push for me to move to my hometown in Sungai Petani, Kedah to be near to my family.

With all of today’s communication media, it is easy to stay in touch with my family and friends and keep up with what is happening in the world at a click of a button.

Platforms like Whatsapp have made communication free, easy and instant. (I am fully aware that digital communication does not provide the same level of connection as face-to-face interaction, and it can be more difficult to build trust and relationships online.)

One of the key reasons for me to stay in Paka is, I am fortunate that I managed to find a place called “home” as per my definition. My house is by the river mouth of Sungai Paka facing the South China Sea.

We live on about an acre of land with a picturesque landscape quality life, quiet and stress-free environment. I do find time kayaking with my family and friends. I rear pigeons, love birds, fish and grow lots of flowers, shrubs and herbs around my compound.