Fraternity-Testvériség, 1962 (40. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1962-09-01 / 9. szám
6 FRATERNITY MORE THAN MILLION AMERICANS TO RETIRE This year approximately one and one-third million Americans will arrive at the threshold of their own “new frontier” — retirement. By and large, families who enter retirement today have a greater variety of financial resources than their parents and grandparents. More than half the nation’s industrial and office force is now enrolled in pension plans where they work, and nearly all working people come under Social Security. Two out of three older families who live in the cities and suburbs now own their own homes, most of them mortgage-free. Older persons tend to have life insurance, as a study of those receiving Social Security payments shows. Furthermore, the typical retired family is not in debt; where money is owed, the amount is likely to be small. The prospect of retirement in circumstances of financial independence has naturally turned families’ thoughts to the additional leisure time they will have. But learning how to spend leisure time does not come overnight, says one authority on retirement activities, Arthur Williams, associate director of the National Recreation Association: “People accumulate this knowledge over the years; it is almost as if they deposit the knowledge in a bank, ready to draw upon after they retire. When the time comes, this stored-up knowledge, if used effectively, will lead to a happier and more enjoyable retirement.” For some persons, leisure time means the freedom to pursue a hobby; for others, it is the freedom to catch up with studies that have been put off during the working years. Still others use their freedom to join others in organized recreation programs. Retirement for many thousands has also meant an oportunity to step up volunteer work for community organizations such as hospitals, churches and other groups. “The key word”, Mr. Williams says, is “freedom”, because retirement provides families with freedom and independence to do much of what they have always wanted. They may stay at home or travel, sleep late or get up early, start a new career — or just relax in a hammock. The steady increase in the number of families who have retired — there are 17 million persons who have reached the age of 65 — has led to greater interest in recreation all over the nation. Churches, community groups, private organizations and government agencies have stepped up existing recreation programs or have begun new ones in recent years. These programs cover a wide range of activities — from simple picnic facilities in parks, all the way to elaborate recreation centers in new major retirement-housing developments in Florida, Arizona and other states, which have created entirely new communities. These, incidentally, are complete with medical facilities, doctors and nurses, and have built-in safety features for retired people. Recreation facilities here include swimming pools, shuffleboard courts, special programs for collectors of coins and stamps, newspaper publishing, discussion groups, lectures, parties, outings, dances, travel, hobbies and crafts. Many of the retirement communities have recreation programs under the direction of professional personnel. AMERICAN COUNCIL
