Social engagement in retirement is about filling your week with people you enjoy. Here are ten friendly ways to stay connected, keep old friendships going and make some new ones along the way.
One of the real pleasures of retirement is finally having time for people. The friends you only saw at Christmas, the neighbour you’ve waved to for years, the club you always meant to join: all of them become possible once your diary belongs to you.
Social engagement in retirement is simply about keeping your circle full and lively. Work gave you a ready-made community, with familiar faces each day and plenty to talk about. In retirement you get to choose your company, and building a new rhythm of catch-ups, groups and outings is one of the most rewarding projects you can take on.
Why social engagement matters in retirement
Good company does far more than fill the diary. Conversation, a friendly debate over coffee or a book club argument about the ending all keep your mind busy and curious. Regular catch-ups give you a sense of belonging, people to share the good news with and a few familiar faces to lean on when life throws up a challenge.
Being social also tends to keep you moving. Walking groups, dancing, bowls, gardening and a stroll to meet a friend for lunch all add up, and they rarely feel like exercise when you’re enjoying the company. Put together, a full social life is one of the simplest ways to enjoy retirement in mind, mood and body.
Here are ten ways to stay connected and make new friends in retirement.
- Find something with a weekly rhythm. Friendships grow from seeing the same faces regularly. A choir, a bowls club, a Tuesday trivia night or a weekly walking group gives your week a shape and gives friendships the time they need to form. Heart Foundation Walking runs free community walking groups across Australia, which are a gentle way to pair good exercise with good conversation.
- Join your local U3A. The University of the Third Age is run by and for retired and semi-retired people, with classes in everything from history and languages to tai chi and bridge. There are no exams and no qualifications needed, just curiosity. Many members find the friendships are every bit as valuable as the classes. Our article on learning something new in retirement covers U3A in more detail.
- Visit your neighbourhood house or library. Victoria has a network of neighbourhood houses that run classes, craft groups, community lunches and social clubs, usually at modest cost. Local libraries host book clubs, author talks and technology help sessions too. Both are welcoming places to start if you’re new to an area or would simply like to meet people close to home.
- Work side by side. Men’s Sheds give people a place to work on projects together, from woodwork to fixing up bikes for local kids, and the conversation flows easily when your hands are busy. Community gardens offer the same shoulder-to-shoulder company, with the bonus of fresh vegetables to share. Some sheds welcome women as well, so it’s worth asking at the one nearest you.
- Give some time to a cause you care about. Volunteering puts you alongside people who share your values, which is one of the quickest routes to friendship. Op shops, Landcare groups, hospitals, sporting clubs and community events all rely on volunteers. Start with a few regular hours a week, see how it feels, and build from there.
- Keep your work friends close. Some of the people you worked with can become lifelong friends if you give them the chance. Set up a regular lunch or coffee with former colleagues, and put the next date in the diary before you leave the table. Shared history makes for easy company, and you’ll have plenty of new stories to swap.
- Be the one who invites. Plenty of people would love to catch up but wait to be asked. A standing Sunday lunch, a morning coffee at the same café each week or a simple barbecue for the street can become the glue that holds a group together. It doesn’t need to be fancy; good company matters far more than the menu.
- Enjoy family time on your own terms. Retirement often brings more time with children and grandchildren, which is one of its great pleasures. It helps to decide early how much time you’d like to give, so family days stay something you look forward to and your week still has room for your own friends and interests.
- Share what you know with younger people. Helping with a school reading program, mentoring someone starting out in your old trade or profession, or coaching a junior sports team brings fresh energy into your week. You pass on skills and stories that took a lifetime to gather, and you’ll often learn just as much in return. For roles working with young people, you’ll usually need a Working with Children Check first.
- Let technology bridge the distance. Video calls, family group chats and photo-sharing apps make it easy to stay close to friends and family interstate or overseas. If you’d like a hand getting started, many libraries and neighbourhood houses run friendly help sessions, and grandchildren are often delighted to play teacher.
There’s no single right way to be social in retirement. Some people love a full calendar; others prefer a few close friends and a quiet weekly ritual. What matters is that your week includes people whose company you enjoy, and that you keep adding a new face or two along the way. Looking after yourself in other ways helps too, and our piece on living well in retirement has some simple everyday habits.
So take a look at the week ahead and choose one thing to try: a walking group, a class at the neighbourhood house, or a call to the old friend you’ve been meaning to ring. Say yes to the next invitation that comes your way, and send one of your own. The friendships you build now will carry you through the years ahead, and the conversations, laughter and shared plans they bring are some of the best things retirement has to offer.
About the Author
FCA (ICAEW) at Plan4wealth | Mary Benton is a seasoned retirement advisor with a wealth of experience and qualifications to guide you towards financial security and peace of mind.
Mary Benton brings decades of experience in retirement planning and financial management to the table. As a qualified financial planner and retirement specialist, Mary has helped countless individuals and couples navigate the complexities of retirement planning with confidence and clarity.
