Networking your way into retirement: retirees can network their way into activities and affiliations.

Retirees can network their way into activities and affliations.

Retirement. If the term conjures up images of white-haired folk in rocking chairs, then you're way out of touch.

Today's retirees are younger, more vibrant versions of their more sedentary predecessors. Not ready or willing to be put out to pasture, many are actively networking their way into new activities, affiliations and even careers. Shifting gears to complement their new lifestyles, retirees realize that the same networking skills that helped invigorate their careers can ease their transition out of them.

As much as people may look forward to retiring, doing so can be difficult. "After the initial glow wore off, I thought I'd die of boredom," recalls James Calloway, a retired fireman from Detroit. Accustomed to fraternizing around the firehouse, he had little to do once he stopped punching a time clock. An accomplished cook, Calloway was encouraged by friends to hone his culinary skills.

"Since word of mouth has spread, I'm kept busy trying out new dishes and informally catering parties and meetings for people in my area," Calloway says. "The best thing is, I'm doing something on my own time that I like to do, and I'm meeting new people all the time." Those "new people" are helping Calloway grow his fledgling enterprise.

Native New Yorkers Bob and Marie Wilkins lacked Calloway's home-court advantage when they retired to Nashville, feeling somewhat isolated in their more rural new home. "We were fortunate to already have our best friends living here," says Marie of the couple that enticed them to make the move. "Through them and nice neighbors in our complex, we've formed a friendly support network here."

For some, staying connected isn't a problem, but keeping their heads above water on a retirement income most definitely is. Networking can open up opportunities to help retirees make ends meet. Joyce F. Boone, a former art teacher, found that after retirement, she was besieged with requests to donate artwork for various projects. "I never say not anyone, but being on a fixed income, I've had to start requesting that I at least be compensated for supplies from time to time," explains the Brooklyn, N.Y., resident.

Ultimately, Boone's various connections enabled her to parlay her talents into part-time jobs teaching art at a senior citizen's center and to youth-at-risk through a number of local programs. "It's still teaching, but I'm doing it in doses that I can swallow," says Boone, adding, "It helps get the bills paid."

Sports, adult education courses, and civic, social and religious affiliations are all excellent ways to remain connected to the mainstream. When the Wilkinses discovered tennis recently, a whole new world opened up to them. "Aside from the physical benefits of the sport, we've found something enjoyable we can do with other couples, or just with ourselves if there are no other takers," says Bob Wilkins.

As with setting up your post-career finances, the best preparation for retirement begins well before you collect that first pension check. The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) urges you to begin researching local resources, pursuing hobbies, and joining or starting book clubs, sports leagues, advocacy organizations and other groups. The best source for retirees? Friends and relatives who've already taken the plunge.