It’s that time! Time to exit the world of work. Retirement — are you ready? Do you fear it or embrace it? Is it a hard and fast finish or a dotted line? Is it a time to make even more radical changes?
Meet a couple who really took this opportunity and ran with it.
The Vaillancourts sold their house in Minnow Lake and relocated.
“It was really hard for me to leave Sudbury,” recalled Ron.
In their case, there was a pull not a push to consider this geographical shift. They knew it was temporary.
Ron (now 72) and Sue (69) moved back to Sudbury in 2022.
“The fresh air, the clean water, the people…” motivated them to return. “We were living in the Burlington area, in the Mount Hope area really. One of our twin daughters gave birth to twins and because we knew how difficult it can be, we moved down to support them. We were driving down three times a month. It made no sense not to be there and form a relationship with our grandchildren. Two beautiful kids. I will tear up when I talk about them … we will never ever get back what they have given to us.”
Being part of the lives of their family has been important to Sue and Ron. There was an imperative to be part of their support network.
“We were committed to do this. Gosh, I even sold my truck,” Ron said.
Retirement gave them the capacity make a decision as big as this, which for Ron meant an end to his 35 years at INCO.
“I started in Instrumentation then I went to a management position,” he said.
The Operating Department and maintenance, plus supervision became his progression. We all remember there were blips in 1978 and 1982, strikes that persisted and impacted the community and families. When he was 65, Ron Vaillancourt finished at Vale, but that did not end his career. In recent years, he joined NORCAT and was at the Detour Lake Gold Mine project where he did two weeks in and two weeks out.
In coming back to Northern Ontario, Ron continues to share his expertise as a training and development consultant.
“I started in health and safety in 1972 and it stayed with me,” he said.
Clearly, it is important for him to keep being involved in the world of learning. Retirement is a part time job for Ron. “I have a passion for instructing. I’ve got to pass this on”
His wife, Sue, likes that he gets out of the house.
“I love that he goes one or two days a week to teach,” she said. Now on the cusp of another decade, Sue breaks into laughter as she shares a thought on her upcoming milestone birthday. “I am going to rock in my 70s like I did in the ’70s!”
There is a really pervasive assumption that “… people become economic deadweight as soon as they hit 65, when the reality is more nuanced … and a growing proportion remain employed long after,” wrote Ashton Applewhite in his book “This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism”. “I never thought about retirement when I was 30. I have a hard time slowing down,” but a full INCO pension was something to aspire to Ron acknowledges.
Interestingly the importance of good friends, and good health, appears to be even more important than a solid financial situation, because we are not just living longer — we’re staying healthy longer.
The Vaillancourts seemed to know this, as they are active and enjoying life. “We got to travel, and during the summers we are at camp and I am fishing,” Ron said.
The Vaillancourts made some very informed decisions about retirement. Together they figured out what was best for them. But what about you?
When to retire and how to use this time is a personal choice unique to each of us. It depends on so many factors. Let’s just consider these four:
- Have you saved enough for retirement or do you have a plan in place to generate income during your retirement years?
- Your health may impact your decision to retire. If you are experiencing health issues that may make it difficult for you to work or enjoy your future retirement. You may want to consider retiring earlier.
- Consider what you want to do during retirement. If you have a passion or hobby that you want to pursue, you may want to retire earlier. If you enjoy your work and find it fulfilling — as Ron Vaillancourt does — you may want to work longer.
- The current economic situation in Canada is changing. Interest rates, and inflation are on the rise and there may be even more challenges. Savings and expenses can be impacted in negative ways.
Ultimately, the decision to retire early or wait is a personal one that depends on your individual circumstances. You may want to speak with a financial advisor to help you assess your economic readiness for retirement.
The Vaillancourts are exemplars of one of the ways to go forward after 65.
Looking back what advice would Ron give his 65-year-old self?
“It’s not much different from what we have done. Do something that feeds your soul! Making butter tarts with our grandson, Corson, and being here for his learning to drive is so important. I get to make gnocchi and sour dough bread for friends.”
Their happiness and satisfaction with life is obvious.
Hugh Kruzel is a writer in Greater Sudbury. Prime is made possible by our Community Leaders Program.
