Commentary: Who am I when the phone stops ringing? Lessons from my first month of retirement

Jeffrey Tan recently completed his first month of retirement after four decades in the legal profession. The transition from a career defined by work to a life without a daily schedule brought both liberation and unease. His calendar went from being packed with meetings and deadlines to being completely empty. The ceaseless flow of emails and phone calls that demanded his attention also came to a stop.

Instead of driving into the office, Tan went for long walks and enjoyed the quiet mornings, even joking about finding a "new office" at a park bench by the sea. The silence that accompanies retirement can be disorienting, raising questions about one's identity and purpose. For those who have spent their lives building expertise, the confidence others place in their judgment becomes intertwined with self-worth, and retirement can disrupt that link.

However, retirement does not have to mean the end of contribution. Tan recognizes that retirement is merely a change in the way one contributes. He continues to participate in board work, mentoring, and writing on topics he cares about. For others, contribution can take the form of caregiving, community service, or simply being a steady presence for younger family members.

Retirement planning should not only focus on financial aspects but also on building an identity beyond work. This includes nurturing friendships, pursuing interests unrelated to professional success, and engaging in relationships that do not depend on hierarchy. Habits, relationships, and routines that can sustain meaning even without a title and timetable are essential.

The recent changes in retirement age in Singapore, which raised the retirement age to 64 and the re-employment age to 69, underscore the importance of treating retirement as a stage of social and psychological redesign. Employers and community organizations can play a crucial role by creating mentoring and advisory roles, part-time teaching opportunities, and structured volunteering pathways.

These initiatives can help retirees find purpose and meaning in their post-work lives. For Tan, the real challenge may be discovering the meaning that fills the void left by the loss of work. While he has not yet found all the answers after just one month, he believes that a successful retirement is measured by the capacity to find meaning when that demand for professional contributions recedes.