Navigating retirement: UM’s holistic supports for staff and faculty
When Janine Harasymchuk retired from UM in 2021, she found herself asking a pivotal question: “What do I do now?” Like many new retirees, she suddenly had an abundance of unstructured time. However, as she candidly reflects, “Retirement isn’t this magic utopia of leisure and fun, as if you’re on a lifelong vacation.”
Having made the decision to retire relatively suddenly, Janine quickly realized that adjusting to retirement came with some challenges. Her experience is far from uncommon. In fact, retirement, while exciting, often brings a mix of emotions. The anticipation of newfound freedom can also stir up feelings of discomfort and uneasiness.
In recognition of the complexities of this life transition, the Office of the Vice-Provost (Academic Affairs), through UM Family Resources, and the help of the Pension Office and Human Resources, has developed a number of resources to support staff and faculty as they navigate the non-financial aspects of retirement.
Tracey Peter, Vice-Provost (Academic Affairs), says, “We strive to support our community members throughout their entire academic and professional journey. This project reflects a commitment to a robust, comprehensive, and holistic approach to retirement planning. By addressing the emotional considerations of this transition, we aim to complement UM’s existing financial planning resources.”
Road to Retirement: non-financial considerations
Road to Retirement is a self-directed course now available on UM Learn, designed to help guide staff and faculty through the emotional and psychological impacts of retirement.
As highlighted in the course, “Too few people consider the psychological adjustments that accompany this life stage, which can include coping with the loss of your career identity, replacing support networks you had through work, spending more time than ever before with your spouse and finding new and engaging ways to stay active.” (source: Jamie Chamberlin, Monitor on Psychology, January 2014)
The course also includes a new Retirement Readiness checklist for both academics and support staff to outline potential steps in the preparation process.
To access the course, visit UM Learn and sign in using your UM email and password. Once logged in, click on ‘Self Registration’ and select: Road to Retirement.
Retirement Readiness Peer Network
The Retirement Readiness Peer Network is for UM staff and faculty nearing retirement who may have questions or concerns about the impact of this significant life transition. Held once per term, usually over the lunch hour, these sessions provide a supportive space for peers to share their thoughts and emotions about the retirement journey. Sessions will vary in structure, sometimes featuring a guest speaker, a panel discussion, or dedicated networking session.
The inaugural session is Friday, December 13th featuring UM retiree Janine Harasymchuk as the guest speaker. To learn more about Janine and to register, visit the event listing.
Francene Perehinec, Family Resource Coordinator, says, “For many of us, our work plays a significant role in our lives and shapes our sense of identity. Transitioning from our professional roles brings many changes, and approaching this shift thoughtfully can be incredibly helpful. We hope these new resources will be a valuable asset to UM staff and faculty.”
Find more retirement planning resources on the Retirement Planning intranet page.