Welcome, New Retirees!

If you are a recent retiree, we’d like to wish you a warm welcome. We hope you are enjoying your retirement so far – and enjoying these years should be the goal!

The transition to retirement is an exciting but often overwhelming change for educators. To help, we’ve highlighted some things you can do as a new retiree to assist you with this transition.

Find Purpose in Retirement

Careers have structure, purpose and connection built in. Your job has probably brought you a certain level of satisfaction and met many emotional needs. In retirement, these needs may still be there. To make a successful transition to retirement life, strive for an enjoyable balance of activities for your time.

Consider what responsibilities you might be taking on now that you’ve retired. Will you be providing care to a family member? Do you plan to volunteer in your community? Next, think about what hobbies or activities might fill your remaining hours of free time. Will you learn a new skill, travel or join a local organization?

By planning ahead and with intention, you can start to build a fulfilling and enjoyable life in retirement.

Take Care of Your Body and Mind

Aging and long-term physical health are influenced by many factors: lifestyle, environment, family history, attitude and mental health. While we can’t do anything about genetics, we can take more control over our lifestyle and make healthy choices.

No matter what your age, having a positive attitude, remaining active, finding a sense of purpose, and being able to adapt are all components of good health. Stress management, seeking help from professional counselors or support groups all play a role in staying mentally and emotionally fit.

Consider taking steps to maintain your physical and mental health.

Some things to think about:

• Stay physically active. Even moderate amounts of daily physical activity can make a difference.
• Keep your mind engaged. Pursue hobbies, take courses in your community, or explore free online classes.
• Eat balanced meals. Good nutrition lowers the risk of disease, some cancers and diabetes.
• Keep up to date with your health. Regular visits to your doctor will give the latest information about your health, and may provide you personalized guidance on diet, exercise and health.

Remember: You Have Pension Security for Life

At NYSTRS, we are committed to providing you with retirement security. As a NYSTRS retiree, you will receive your pension payment –  on time and in full – for the rest of your life. You can count on it!

View the Calendar of Monthly Benefit Payment Dates to see when your pension payment will be deposited, and read the latest Resource newsletter to stay up-to-date on what you need to know as a NYSTRS retiree.