Upper-Class Seniors: 75 Proposals for a Retirement Life Free from Financial Worries【O1BK00000520000】

Features of the Book

　

Japanese psychiatrist tells you the financial and life perspectives you should understand as you live longer!

　　Every step you take now will determine whether your later years are prosperous or lacking. How should you plan your savings to enjoy a healthy and happy retirement? Are you prepared for a retirement that could last twenty years?

　In Taiwan, where aging and declining birth rates are becoming more pronounced, are you starting to worry about facing "retirement bankruptcy" and becoming a "lower-class elder"?

　　As human longevity increases, how should we face our later years? What is the best way to plan so that even without income or caretakers in retirement, you will not suffer from scarcity?

　In "Upper-Class Elder: 75 Proposals for a Retirement Life Free from Financial Worries," author and psychiatrist Takashi Hosaka provides readers with practical methods based on his professional expertise and experience as a psychiatrist, addressing aspects such as finances, mindset, health, and home life. For instance, he advises against giving large amounts of pocket money to grandchildren out of affection, as this can spoil them and also affect one’s own retirement income. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of returning borrowed items to avoid complications as one ages and mobility becomes more challenging.

　　Dr. Hosaka believes that rather than living on a meager pension or suffering from illnesses that lead to financial strain and a lower social standing in old age, it is better to plan ahead before retirement. Cultivating the right mindset and maintaining good health are crucial for preparing for later life. He is confident that by following the key points outlined in the book and improving current lifestyles, readers can look forward to a fulfilling and enjoyable retirement in the near future.

　　This book proposes:
　　‧Be aware of your age and act within your means.
There's always a catch behind "profitable" opportunities.
Don't be fooled by the notion that "you need several million after retirement."
The more you think "I could never be fooled," the easier it is to be deceived.
To live healthily into old age, avoid divorce in your later years.
Life should end according to your own wishes.
It's healthy to express grievances openly instead of suppressing them.
Consider providing an education fund instead of giving children pocket money.

Celebrity Endorsements

　Ruo-Chi Lee, Executive Director of the Hongdao Elderly Welfare Foundation
Hsin-Ning Tu, Honorary Chairperson of the Taiwan Home Care Service Strategy Alliance
Sincere recommendations

Author Introduction

　

Author
Takahiro Hosaka 　　
Born in 1952 in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. Currently serves as the Executive Director of the Integrative Center at St. Luke’s International Hospital, Head of the Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine Department, and Clinical Professor at St. Luke’s International University. After graduating from Keio University School of Medicine, he worked in the Psychiatry Department at the university’s affiliated hospital. He studied for two years at the University of California before returning to Japan, where he also served as a professor at Tunghai University. His published works in Chinese include Joyful Aging, Starting at 50: Living Elegantly, Ideal Aging, and The Most Worry-Free Old Age.

Translator Introduction
Uko 　　
Graduated from the Department of Japanese at Soochow University. Recommended Japanese dramas include Kurokin no Shiroshima-kun and Kazoku Game.

Table of Contents

　

Preface

Chapter 1 Flexibly Managing Money
It's better for retirement funds to "not decrease" than to "increase"
There's always a hidden cost behind "profitable" opportunities
Don't be deceived by the notion that "you need several million for retirement"
The happy bluebird fleetingly disappears
You can find happiness in giving to others, even without money
Extend a helping hand to others and live a vibrant life
"I can't possibly be fooled"—the more you think this, the easier it is to be deceived
Don’t easily trust others; avoid listening to get-rich-quick schemes
Be aware of your age; act within your limits
A little extra indulgence can please the brain
Late-life divorce is a "waste of money"
To live healthily into old age, one should avoid late-life divorce
Whether couples are harmonious or not is unrelated to money
Complimenting each other increases happiness
Why do you want to leave money behind?
Leaving money is not as meaningful as leaving memories
Make full use of administrative services
In some areas, free disposable diapers are even provided

Chapter 2 Money Cannot Buy Health and Peace of Mind
It's natural to feel uneasy when ill or injured
Even if you’re sick, don’t be pessimistic; think of it as “small ailments for good health”
If you feel anxious about living alone, seek help from others
Save a significant amount by using cost-free wellness methods
Mastering diaphragmatic breathing can help maintain health
Luxury is a major enemy of health, but eating too simply can shorten lifespan
Gather five colors of ingredients for rich and balanced nutrition
"Illness arises from the mind" is not unfounded
Depression is the "cold of the spirit"
How to coexist peacefully with illness
Life should conclude according to your wishes
Always reassess your insurance needs
Carefully evaluate which insurance policies to cancel and which are absolutely necessary
A life filled with laughter can soothe the body and mind
The angrier you are, the more you should smile
How to become a calm and composed elder?
Not suppressing emotions but venting frustrations is the key to health
Complain together with fellow patients


Chapter 3 Practice "Decluttering" for a Fulfilled and Abundant Mind
The more possessions you have, the emptier you feel inside
A free spirit leads to a life of joy, like that of a deity
Escape the temptation of impulse buying
Punish yourself if you indulge in impulse buying
Correct and incorrect money-saving techniques
Use small luxuries to relieve the pressure of frugality
How to handle memory-filled photo albums?
Create scrapbooks using important photos
Move into a smaller home to reduce unnecessary worries
More storage space leads to more possessions
The value of New Year cards lies not in quantity but in sincerity
Use New Year cards to organize your social connections
Don’t forget to update your contact list after retirement
No need for a vanity contact list
Don’t neglect borrowed items or things you’ve lent
It’s not necessary to attend every funeral
Don’t feel obliged to attend distant funerals or ceremonies
Whether to reduce spending on weddings and funerals depends on you
Reassess holiday expenditures


Chapter 4 Never Forget That Your Life Belongs to You Alone
You can maintain happiness by not comparing yourself to others
Don't judge things based solely on appearances
Don't scrimp and save just to give your grandchildren pocket money
You often find it harder to adhere to rules than your young grandchildren do
Leave treasures that money cannot buy to your family
Provide an education fund instead of giving your children pocket money
True happiness is leaving behind an intangible legacy
A reassuring word is more valuable than money
Don’t lament “at my age”; what’s wrong with starting anew?
There is more than one form of marriage
The essence of cohabitation is honesty and consideration
If living alone, consider treating your dog as a friend
If you can’t keep pets, try nurturing plants instead
Don’t interfere with your children’s and grandchildren’s lives
Utilize your experiences to give back to society
Volunteering means acting according to your own will
Expressing your feelings can lead to a happier life
Not only husbands, but wives should also remember to express gratitude
It's advisable to choose your burial plot while still alive
Choosing your burial plot in advance allows you to enjoy retirement without worries

Excerpt

　

Don’t Be Deceived by the Notion That "You Need Several Million After Retirement"
 
In 1947, the average life expectancy for both men and women in Japan surpassed fifty years for the first time. Today, the average life expectancy for both genders in Japan exceeds eighty years. This means that people are achieving the vision of longevity at an astonishing rate.
 
While living longer is a good thing, could it also be another form of "too much of a good thing"? The thought of having to spend more money due to increased longevity makes it hard to maintain a positive attitude towards aging—this societal tendency is becoming increasingly pronounced.
 
The biggest issue lies in post-retirement expenses. Various newspapers and magazines often discuss how much it costs to retire, and in every article, the amount cited is always in the range of "several million yen," which is quite substantial.
 
However, as mentioned in previous chapters, hastily increasing your income from now on can be quite dangerous.
 
So what should one do? The answer is quite simple. Even when hearing that "you need several million after retirement," there’s no need to be swayed or feel anxious; just honestly admit that "I can’t earn that much money."
 
If one is wealthy, it would indeed be possible to lead a luxurious life in old age, but whether that guarantees happiness is another matter.
 
This is evident from the "Happiness Index Report" released by the United Nations. The report quantifies and evaluates the happiness levels of 158 countries around the world. In the 2015 happiness ranking, Japan was ranked 46th, even falling behind the previous year’s 43rd position, landing at the bottom among the so-called G8 industrialized nations.
 
As for the top-ranking countries, unsurprisingly, they include Iceland, Denmark, Norway, and Finland—countries known for their robust social security systems. However, countries like Costa Rica (12th), Mexico (14th), and Brazil (16th), which have much lower GDP per capita than Japan, also made the list. In other words, wealth does not necessarily guarantee happiness.
 
The high happiness levels in these countries can be attributed to the fact that, although they live with some financial constraints, their citizens understand that they can only accept their current situation. This understanding strengthens their resolve, allowing them to naturally adapt their spending and lifestyle accordingly, thus discovering happiness within those limits.
 
So how do you live within the limitations of a limited income? One should weigh costs and benefits, balance expenditures, and leverage the wisdom accumulated over a lifetime to make up for any shortfalls.
 
One of the secrets is the "contentment brings happiness" mindset. The desire for material possessions is bottomless; conversely, if one changes their perspective and finds satisfaction in the present, all feelings of lack and discontent will vanish.
 
The person who is poor yet content is truly wealthy, and wealth can rival nations. Those who are rich but live in constant fear of becoming poor are akin to wilting in winter."
 
—This is a famous quote by Shakespeare.