It seems that Americans are addicted to working all of their lives and tend to put off planning for retirement. It is important for you to consider retirement at a time when you are still in good physical and mental health so that you can enjoy those golden years. You need to consider that 50 percent of people in the ages from 50 to 59 are in excellent health. This number deteriorates to 25 percent at the age of 90. These numbers should make you consider retiring at a time when you will still have the energy to enjoy your well earned free time.

If you plan to travel in your retirement, you should plan it while you still have the energy to enjoy it. Traveling requires a great deal of physical and mental energy. As you age it is harder to adjust to the physical and emotional challenges involved in traveling. Traveling is not for the faint of heart.

Many people find that the younger they are when they retire, they are better able to adapt to this big change in life. Perhaps it is because they still have a great deal of energy and can enjoy being involved in more physical activities than when they are older. Voluntary early retirement can allow you time to pursue activities for which you have not had time, but will still have the mental and physical inclination to pursue.

Another advantage in retiring earler than the norm doesn’t mean that if it’s not working that you can not return to the work force. You still have time to work a few more years and try it again. The young retiree has this advantage over the older one as the older one will not have a second chance to get it right.

Most of all don’t find yourself in the position where you have put off retirement too long and because of health or aging problems, you will not be able to enjoy your retirement years.