Travelling, working and singing: Robin’s freetirement

Retirement looks different these days – it’s about having more freedom to live how you choose, regardless of your health or finances. Here’s how one Kiwi – Robin – is enjoying her Freetirement.

Good examples of how arbitrary age 65 can be, Robin and her husband Alastair are still in paid employment. Alastair, at 67, flies all over the world for his job, and although Robin ‘retired’ as a kindergarten teacher when she turned 65, she still works part-time as a reliever.

“I was looking forward to retiring,” Robin admits. “I was fed up with the paperwork, and having to do some of it in my own time!”

As a part-time reliever, Robin says she gets to do the work she loves, without the paperwork, while adding to their retirement nest egg.

“When the time comes to stop, we’d like to be able to really retire without having to cut corners,” Robin says.

Singing – a family affair

Robin’s main hobby is singing barbershop – with Alastair and several other family members also involved. Now she has more free time, Robin can take on as much barbershop as she likes, including a quartet, a local chorus, a national show chorus and regular competitions around the country and overseas.

“I’ve always loved teaching kindergarten, but now when there’s a barbershop event on, it’s good to be able to turn down work and go.”

Working at good health

Keeping up with small children – bending, lifting and squatting to a 3-year-old’s level –is a must in Robin’s job. When a slip on winter ice ruptured a disc in her back 12 years ago, surgery threatened, but exercise with weights almost every morning has successfully held it off. Now she’s fit and trim, eats healthy food, and is almost never sick.

Before she officially retired, Robin had accrued 66 sick days, but more recently, she got a shock.

“I went down with a nasty virus and what was ‘probably pneumonia’,” she says. “I can’t remember being that sick since I was a teenager! I’m much better now, but I’m not bouncing back as quickly as I’d like, and that worries me a little.”

Time for grandchildren

Robin and Alastair have four adult children plus their partners and a small handful of grandsons, who all live in the area. They see Harry, the youngest most often, as Robin is now free to look after the busy two-year-old for at least one day a week.

“Harry is so jolly!” Robin smiles. “And we’re delighted to be so involved in his childhood!”

No worries about money

With a large, 120-year-old home fully restored and mortgage-free, and with both still working, money isn’t an issue for Robin and Alastair. They intend to sell up and either build or buy a smaller place closer to family, but plans are on the back burner while the couple carry on enjoying life. For instance, the air miles Alastair racks up get used for trips away together, the next one being Japan.

“We can do the things we always wanted to do together,” says Robin. “It’s great to say ‘I’m not available’ when I’m asked to relieve, and plan trips away.”

Robin’s freetirement snapshot:

Robin, 65, still working part-time

The best part about retirement: “I have more time for barbershop, and especially to look after our grandson Harry. Plus, Alastair and I can plan trips away whenever it suits his schedule.”

The hardest part about retirement: “I worry about our health in the future. I didn’t recover from that infection as quickly as I’d like, and I don’t know how long Alastair can stay healthy without making some life changes.”

Her advice for the best freetirement: “The most important thing in life is love, and a sense of purpose comes a close second. Find a hobby or activity you can really enjoy. Maybe do some volunteering, meet people, get involved. If you have a spouse, find things you can do together.”

Find out more about our Kiwi Freetirement series here – and share your story.