Page 59 - August Sun Rays_Flipbook

Second
Chance
at a First
Impression

Retirement didn’t
mean the end
of work - it just
changed what
they were working
toward.

By Doug Lytton When it came to retirement, Terry and Doug Lytton always knew they wanted to live the
good life.What that life looked like, however, was a vision which evolved over time.
With the arrival of autumn, I
welcome the return of what has and I were considering in late 2013 – I and her family were moving to Austin,
always been my favorite season. was set to retire on December 31 of that or that Terry was a UT graduate. And
There is something poignant about year; Terry would follow suit three months though I had many close friends in San
basking in the waning light of summer later, in March 2014. Where would we Diego, none had volunteered to care for
as it bows out, not unlike enjoying the live? How would insurance work? What us in retirement. Okay, we said. We’re
last drops of a fine wine - exciting the about taxes? moving back to Texas.
senses with the moment at hand while
anticipating the times to come. For 40 years, my wife and I had worked Once the decision was made, finances
financial services, training professionals arranged and paperwork finalized, we
Every day, 10,000 Americans are turning in the retirement planning industry. prepared to say goodbye to our home in
age 65. Only 20 percent of these people Shortly before leaving the workforce, Encinitas. Terry and I had spent twelve
are prepared to actually retire. Most aging we decided we would sell our home in years remodeling our little cottage on
investors must ask: Will I have enough Southern California and move back to D Street, and leaving did tug at the
money to maintain my standard of living Texas. Life in California was beautiful, emotions. We loved the perpetual flowers
for the rest of my life? How much money but it came with high taxes and a rising in our garden, many of which we knew
is enough? Will these autumn days be cost of living outpaced only by New York. would bloom only briefly in Texas. But
spent savoring the zest of life, or will It also didn’t hurt that our youngest with the decision made, we decided to
years of misjudgment find them sour and daughter had just announced that she go all out: the cottage, our furniture, the
vinegary?
ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG
These are the questions my wife Terry

58 | SUNRAYS AUGUST 2016