July 21 - Ballito Umhl

Retirement planning …
an important checklist
A well-planned retirement is key to the comfortable, secure and stress-free life you
envisage. By giving it a great deal of thought ahead of time, fine-tuning your needs
and wants, and exploring the numerous options out there, you’ll be perfectly placed to
find the perfect solution.
For many, retirement is a somewhat daunting concept. The secret is in playing an
active role in the planning – recognising this chapter of life as a reality, viewing it
positively, and celebrating the opportunities it presents. It goes without saying that
financial planning is the most important factor and talking to your financial planner is
a crucial step when looking into the future. It’s not only about the rental or purchase
of a retirement unit or home, living expenses, covering of levies, rates and utilities, but
also factoring in the unknown – any potential health or care expenses. Once you have
a clear picture of your financial situation, you’ll want to compile a personal checklist of
non-negotiable and ‘nice-to-have’ elements. You might want to choose a retirement
village close to where you live now – near friends and familiar places – you’ll certainly
want to be near family. Geoff Perkins of Collins Residential, the developers of Mount
Edgecombe Retirement Village, shares a quick checklist to assist with getting the
planning process started:
• Consider your family: being near them or at least near to an airport is important to
consider.
• Hobbies and like-minded communities: being surrounded by a community who share
common interests and values greatly enhances quality of life. If the idea of neighbourly
activities and events such as gardening, walking or group exercise has appeal, then
planning to settle in a community-orientated estate should be factored in.
• If wanderlust is important: a secure, lock-up-and-go is the ideal solution.
• Pets: For many, finding a pet-friendly retirement solution is at the top of the list.
• Do you enjoy socialising? A retirement community can offer wonderful socialising
opportunities, companionship and ways to meet new people.
• For the active: golf, tennis, a gym. For many, staying fit and active is non-negotiable, so
ensure your estate shortlist gives you access to these facilities.
• Do you bird watch, hike or walk? Similarly, you’d want to live on an eco-estate or near
safe ‘wild’ areas with trails or boardwalks. The North Coast offers a range of estates that
are based on this principle.
• Health matters: whether or not you have existing health care concerns, the option of
having access to a full-service health care facility should be a careful consideration.
• Security is a reality: most villages and estates have good security, but think about your
latter years - panic buttons and response services should be jotted down.
• Facilities: If you don’t drive or have a
car, plan to retire in an estate where
regular trips to local shopping centres
and outings could be important to you.
Similarly, a clubhouse, hairdresser or a
coffee shop on site could be beneficial.
• Family fundamentals: visitor’s parking,
whether you can comfortably entertain
and even planning to ensure your
grandchildren/ friends are able to stay
overnight is often overlooked, so be sure
to add this important item to the list.
You will definitely have a host of
questions and considerations that
pertain specifically to your particular
lifestyle, Geoff says. “Jot them down.
All that information helps you build a
picture of where you’d like to be, and
what facilities you need when the time
arrives. We have invested an enormous
amount of research and thought into
our design and facilities. Understanding
what retirees are looking forward to,
we’ve worked hard to establish an estate
in which the community itself plays
an active role in establishing activities,
clubs and the like. Retirement can
really be a wonderful time of life, full of
opportunities and fewer responsibilities.”
Details: Mount Edgecombe Retirement
Estate: www.merv.co.za, Dave: 083
4561897
July 2021 Get It • Ballito Umhlanga 41