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IN our younger years, we study to prepare for our careers. Apart from the financial planning that goes into preparing for our retirement, a few of us consider what life after retirement will entail.

The CEO of the Retirement Network, Lynda Smith, has tried to encourage people to take more interest in what they can do after retirement.

“The key message I try to get across is that each person has a unique journey. Hobbies, talents, experiences, skills and passions will dictate what your choices will be for the next season of your work. Mix these with your current financial situation and you have a starting place of what may be best for you.”

Here are some of the things Smith suggests you ponder for your after-retirement life:

• Do you want to continue in your existing line of work, or do something new?

• Do you want to pursue a specific dream or passion that you have been unable to during your first career?

• Do you want to stay close to your family, or travel the world?

• How much time and involvement do you want to commit to the work you will do after retiring?

• Your economic reality is central to any plans you make — you may be in a situation where post-retirement work is a welcome fillip to your pension, or you may have to work to pay the bills and make ends meet.

• Consider how much of a challenge you want and how much responsibility you want to take on.

• You may want to earn some money or even do volunteer work.

• You may need to take time to learn and become comfortable with technology and social media. Most work will require these skills.

• This article was first published in Sunday Times: Business Times