Can you afford a ‘second act’ after retirement? Here are some questions to ask yourself

Are you ready for a “second act” in retirement? Sadly, large numbers of Americans heading into their 60s are not — at least from a financial perspective.

While the average amount of retirement savings for Americans between the ages of 55 and 64 was $408,000 in 2019, per the Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances, the median savings was just $134,000 for that group.

Between those savings and Social Security benefits, more than half of Americans in that pre-retirement age group will likely experience a major drop in their standard of living in full retirement. Although they may long to quit a job and pursue a passion — a “second act” — their financial state will make that difficult.

At the same time, there are millions of Americans near retirement age who are more secure financially and can consider taking advantage of the tightest labor market in a generation to change their lives.

“This environment may be the best we’ve ever seen for people in their 50s looking to do their next thing,” said certified financial planner Sheryl Garrett, a former financial advisor and founder of Garrett Planning Network. “I see lots of opportunities for second acts — maybe third and fourth acts, too.”

Garrett doesn’t believe in retirement, arguing that it is not a natural state for people. She prefers to think of latter life as an opportunity for “retreading.” It may involve finding work that is gentler on your body but perhaps even more important, will feed an interest or passion.

“Preparing for retirement is about more than being financially prepared,” said Garrett. “It’s about psychological and social preparedness.

“We need to have a second act,” she added. “We may need it from a financial perspective, but over time I think it’s the psychological aspect that is more important.”

Garrett has made some changes of her own. She no longer advises individual clients but still works with advisors in Garrett Planning Network. She also manages a four-cabin resort in Arkansas, where she lives.

“I outsource the maintenance, but I get the benefits of meeting guests and they pay for our expenses,” she said. “I’ve also become a gardening fanatic.”

The key to figuring out your second act, Garrett said, is starting with a realistic self-assessment that answers several important questions:

• What is your passion? Second acts demand some passion. If you’re not motivated to pursue a new job or activity, it’s pointless.

“You may need money to come from it, but you have to be driven by passion to keep it satisfying,” said Garrett.

She said she has seen older friends become librarians and financial advisors. Some have started their own businesses. Others have taken new jobs because they miss the human interaction in a workplace.

“The stereotype of older people going to work at Walmart is often not about money but about socializing,” said Garrett. “They may need the money, too, but they’re happy to be greeters.”

If your passions run toward the idea of more golfing, gardening or reading, you may be better off sticking with your current job and working on a part-time basis, if possible.

• How important is the money? Depending on your financial circumstances, a second act may still have to provide you with substantial income to make sense — in effect, you’ll be “unretiring.”

What’s more, pursuing a passion could be costly and you need to be realistic about the financial risk it may involve.

“I had a hospital administrator client once who wanted to open up a bait and tackle shop in his mid-50s,” said Garrett. “His wife thought it was idiotic.

“We did some analysis and I advised them that they needed a few more years of bigger incomes before he should consider it seriously.”

• What are your skills and what opportunities are there in your community? Does your passion require some training or additional education to effectively pursue? If so, do you have the financial resources to afford that? Equally important is ensuring that there is a market for the interests or business you want to pursue.

“If you’re in the community you want to be in, find out what peoples’ challenges are and if you could help provide solutions for them,” suggested Garrett. “Whatever it is, there are needs and opportunities out there.

“Loop back to your own passions and design your next chapter the way you want to.”