We Need to Learn to Pack Our Bags

We Need to Learn to Pack Our Bags

This phrase, "We need to learn to pack our bags," was something I heard from President Molino a day or two after he took office. It struck me because, here in Panama, we're facing a situation where many retirees are still holding onto their jobs because their pensions are too low. After all, no one works their whole life just to end up poor. Many people receive their two regular paychecks along with two pension checks, bringing in a solid income. For some, this has significantly improved their lives—they've remodeled their homes, bought cars, and helped their children and grandchildren. In short, the economy has centered around benefiting these individuals. However, the problem is that by staying in the workforce, they are blocking new generations from entering the labor market. In addition to this, there's the issue of a dangerous comfort zone. Many of these older employees, after so many years of experience, stop caring whether they do their job well or not. They simply show up, collect their paychecks, and continue working. Some even see it as a form of psychological support because staying at home all day with nothing to do doesn't help them either. So, this brings us to the question: when do we learn to pack our bags? I remember a very dear doctor who has since passed away. She was the national coordinator of the elderly program at the Social Security Fund—Dr. Donderis, though I can't quite recall her first name. I was no more than 32 years old at the time, and she was around 57 or 60. I asked her, "Doctor, how should one prepare for retirement?" She told me that you need to prepare in three areas: financially, spiritually, and in having a sense of purpose. Her response left a deep impact on me. The spiritual aspect is especially significant because, as we age and start to feel the years, we tend to become more spiritual. It's important to strengthen that spiritual side. On the financial side, she said you should start preparing about 15 years before retirement. This means saving, not relying solely on your pension, because aging comes with more medical expenses, which can drain your savings. Lastly, having a sense of purpose is key. This means understanding that while working past retirement age may be acceptable for two or three years, it's not sustainable for 10 or 15 years. It's unthinkable that we still see people in their late 70s or even 80s working. This is where the idea of having a purpose comes into play—reinventing yourself. But when do we reinvent ourselves? With so many changes, experiences, and lessons life still has to offer, we need to recognize that the hustle of daily work and family responsibilities often makes us lose sight of preparing for old age. So, the message I want to leave with these words is to reflect on where we are at this moment in our lives. If you're 50 years old, how are you preparing yourself to meet these three important goals? Prepare spiritually, prepare financially, and most importantly, find a purpose in life for your old age. I hope this topic resonates with you. --- Let me know if you need any changes or adjustments!