PSPP is proud to be part of the retirement plans of over 90,000 members across Alberta and around the world. We asked a few of our retirees how their lives have changed since retirement and they were happy to share some updates with us!
Whether retiree or active member, do you have a story of your own to share? Visit us at Member Stories – Public Service Pension Plan and tell us all about it!
What activities or hobbies have you taken up since retiring?
Music is my passion so I have included a music room and recording studio in my home and spend many hours now in my ‘happy place’.
I also purchased an e-bike last summer and have been enjoying getting outdoors and putting miles on my new e-bike. I plan to do the legacy trail from Canmore to Banff this summer and enjoy some other biking adventures as well.
Terry V.
I am a quilter so I spend time every day quilting.
The other benefit of retirement is having the time every day to walk and exercise. I found it difficult to find the time when I was working even though I was only working 7.5 hours, by the time I was done and prepared a meal, there was no inclination to walk or exercise. I now am able to easily work exercise into my day.
Karen O.
Have you travelled since retiring? Where have you been and what are some of the most wonderful things you have seen?
We have travelled to Palm Springs and/or Hawaii every year since I retired to get away from the winter weather. Hawaii truly is “Paradise” and hiking in the tropical rainforests is beautiful.
Jim N.
We completed a road trip up the Alaska highway to Whitehorse and to Skagway, Alaska. The scenic tour is a must to include in people’s travel plans. Be sure to plan your trip when the forest fires are not threatening!
Terry V.
In 2023, I spent seven weeks in Australia.
While in Sydney, I climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge and attended Miss Saigon at the Sydney Opera House. I cycled and did a walking tour of Sydney’s famous sites.
Then I travelled to Melbourne. In addition to the cycling and walking tour, we took a bus trip to Phillip Island to see the penguins. Along the way we stopped at Moonlit Sanctuary to see animals unique to Australia. I had my picture taken with a koala!
Then I crossed the continent to spend the rest of my time in the Perth area where I reconnected and enjoyed time with my brother and nieces who moved to Australia in 2008. I met their spouses and kids for the first time. I toured many places and sites in Western Australia, including the five wooden Giants in the Mandurah area and a road trip to the most southern tip of Western Australia to visit Esperance. The area and beaches were breath taking but the water was cold.
My second bucket list dream completed.
Shirley C.
How have your retirement dreams come true?
We are doing what we planned to do and can afford what we want to do. I am grateful for the pension I have. We can live our lives within our means and we are living the dream
Nancy G.
Since retirement, my three main activities are family, summers in our BC cottage and volunteer work. We spend time with our daughters, sons in law and four granddaughters – plus set aside funds for their post-secondary education.
My wife and I prepared for retirement with a goal to be debt-free, with mortgages on our two properties paid off. That goal was achieved years before I retired in 2005.
Retirement for the past twenty years has been a wonderful time in my “sunset” years. I have the life I dreamed about but just didn’t really understand was possible without years of planning and sticking to goals.
Colin G.
What were the most challenging aspects of transitioning into retirement?
The first six months were tough. I think I called my colleagues at work weekly, as I was very curious as to what was happening. My colleagues were very kind, but I think they were relieved when I “finally” quit calling so often!
I did miss many of the people I worked with – some for 30 years – as they were such wonderful people, hard-working and dedicated to the clients they served. Today I look back and I am so thankful for all the great people I knew.
Jim N.
If you are looking at retirement, I recommend participating in any information sessions that are available through PSPP or your employer. The first course I took was about ten years prior to retirement, and that seminar provided the steps to take to prepare. I took another course the year I anticipated retiring to update my information.
After retiring, for the first few weeks, I would wake and panic when I realized I had nothing I HAD to do. But a couple of weeks passed and I started enjoying my time until now, a couple of years after retirement, I wonder how I got to be so busy.
The key is preparation and not just the year of – but years prior. I hope you will be able to take advantage of the blessings of retirement.
Karen O.
How has PSPP helped you maintain your lifestyle in retirement?
Yes, my pension has greatly helped me in my retirement. I am in a wheelchair so am not able to travel very far; I have missed out on any kind of holiday places. I am happy to stay home and have the luxury of knowing that I can pay my monthly bills. My monthly pension is more than my CPP and Old Age Security Pensions. I am so thankful for my PSPP.
Sharon P.
With planning and hard work, my husband and I moved into a rural area 50 minutes from Edmonton with a lake and golf close by. Daily we see birds and wildlife in an incredible setting. We are enjoying life with confidence, financially stable.
Nancy G.
PSPP would like to thank all of our retiree storytellers for sharing their experiences with us. We are proud to have been part of making their retirement dreams come true – and we will be proud to be part of yours.
Do you have a story of your own to share? Visit us at Member Stories – Public Service Pension Plan.