For thousands of Canadians, retirement isn’t just about leaving the workforce or changing careers. Among entrants in the TD Redefine Retirement contest that ran through September, more than half (52%) of Canadians said retirement isn’t about stopping or slowing down. It’s about freedom and flexibility.
Throughout the contest period, more than 2,300 Canadians submitted definitions of what retirement means to them.
“What is clear from the submissions is that everyone’s idea of retirement is different, because everyone is looking forward to personal and specific things. It’s important to take the time to define what retirement means for you: it helps you get started on planning your finances to ensure your retirement dreams become a reality,” says Cynthia Caskey, vice-president, portfolio manager and sales manager with TD Waterhouse Private Investment Advice.
Other recurring themes from submitted definitions included financial security (27%), the ability to travel (25%), escape from the ‘nine-to-five grind’ (21%) and spending time with friends and family (14%).