Finding Ways to Give Back

Gone are the days when retirement was viewed as an endpoint — a time to say good-bye to the 9-to-5 grind and hello to carefree leisure activities. Today, retirees are as likely to embark on a second — or third — career as they are to dive full time into learning a new sport. And it makes sense. Americans are healthier than ever, and living much longer lives. Retirement doesn't mean slowing down or doing less. In fact, it often means doing more — more of what you want and less of what you don't.

For many people, doing what you want involves philanthropy of one kind or another. "It can be tremendously gratifying to help people when you have the means to do it," says Dr. Dorothy Cantor, author of What Do You Want to Do When You Grow Up? Starting the Next Chapter of Your Life. "It's a win-win in which the recipients of your largesse benefit, but so do you, because you have the feeling of having done something for somebody else. Giving back brings you a sense of purpose," she adds.

Giving back is beneficial in countless ways, no question. But with so many worthwhile charities in desperate need of help, the real question becomes: How do I choose how to help? Build houses for the poor? Volunteer for a literacy program? Prepare meals for the homebound? Join a disaster relief organization that might involve travel to the far corners of the globe?

The options available to you are endless. And while you may not be ready to retire now, it's a good idea to think ahead so you are ready when that time comes. Here are some questions that you can ask yourself to help determine the best way to give back — for you.

1. What do I have to offer?

Start by making a list of your talents. Think of skills you use in your everyday work life. Are you good at organizing people? Do you have medical expertise? Are you a wizard with numbers? If you have accounting skills, you could assist a nonprofit by doing their bookkeeping.

Sometimes our hobbies can reveal our useful capabilities. Have you always loved to play soccer? Perhaps you'd be a good soccer coach to children. If you devour books on weekends, share your love of reading with the blind or seniors. If you love animals, check in with the animal shelter. If you love to garden, you may want to work with a community garden in your area that could use your expertise — or start one of your own. If you've been a museum patron for years, it might be time to become a docent.

2. How much time do I have to give?

Only you know what your calendar will be able to accommodate when you retire. Keep in mind that volunteer work does not have to be — nor should it be — an all-or-nothing proposition. Whether you have 12 hours a week to give or one day a month, there are plenty of organizations grateful for whatever help you can offer. The goal is to be realistic. If you sign on with a group like the Red Cross, you may be asked to leave home for weeks at a time to provide disaster relief. If you have conflicts — say, you've promised to baby-sit a grandchild one day a week or are coaching a Little League team — that could complicate matters for the people who are relying on you. When you donate your time, you want it to feel like the experience is adding to your life.

3. How much energy can I devote to the cause?

If you are physically fit and active when you retire, try something that involves sports or building. If you plan to lead a more relaxed life, you might want to look for an opportunity that won't be too physically taxing, such as leading a church choir. Or, you can use your volunteer work as motivation to get involved with a group that will help you get fit — something you perhaps didn't have time to do when you were working full-time. You might sign up to lead hikes with the Sierra Club or the Appalachian Mountain Club.

4. How do I know who most needs my help?

First, rest assured that there is hardly an organization — from schools to museums to hospitals to the humane society — that has so much money in the coffers that its directors will turn down free help.

On the other hand, finding the right person in need might not require a search beyond your own neighborhood. You may, for instance, know someone nearby who no longer drives and needs someone to take her to the grocery store and to doctor's appointments.

5. Can I just give money?

Of course! All nonprofits need money. If you've decided that making a financial contribution is the best way you can help, you will have plenty of takers. Just be careful that what you give doesn't deplete your own resources. "To determine how much to offer, first assess very thoroughly the amount of money you need to support your lifestyle," Cantor suggests. Once you've settled on a figure, ask yourself: Is there a specific project I want to see accomplished? Where do I want to make my mark? Many organizations let donors earmark their funds. For instance, if you give to the American Cancer Society, you can send your funds directly to a specific area such as lung cancer. You can even do something like sponsor a local children's soccer team in an at-risk neighborhood, providing uniforms and equipment. To learn about an easy and efficient way to make charitable contributions to the organization of your choice, you can visit www.whatgoesaround.org.

No matter what form of giving back you eventually settle on, Cantor says it's a good idea to give it a test run before committing fully. "Try the volunteer work ahead of time to make sure it meets your needs," says Cantor. "Until you try something, you will never know if it is right for you."

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