Retirement…Holy Grail or fatal decline? In truth: neither. You will, however, need to thoroughly prepare yourself for the leap, and carefully weigh your options ahead of the D day. A minority of agencies does organise retirement seminars. Unfortunately, they are rarely available to field staff.

You will first need to choose the place where you want to live. This is a crucial choice for expatriates, whose links with their country of origin have withered after many years overseas. If this writer, who retired ten years ago, can venture some advice, the main criteria to consider are: family, friends, culture, medical facilities, climate, cost of living, security and infrastructure and social services. We’ll accord only limited weight to the tax question, as we are all aware that two things in life are inevitable: death and taxes. If it is sometimes possible to delay one’s departure to the pearly gates, it is highly unadvisable to procrastinate when tax season comes. As the harmonisation of fiscal systems in most respectable countries will eventually happen no matter what, we strongly advise our readers to well inform themselves. The Financial Cooperative Association of International Civil Servants (AMFIE) insists that its members fully comply with their fiscal obligations both for regulatory purposes and for their peace of mind.

Financially you’ll have to make do with reduced means. If you have been awarded “robust” contracts for a sufficient length of service with the U.N. or another intergovernmental organisation, you will probably enjoy a decent pension. U.N. Joint Staff Pension Fund participants will have to opt between a US Dollar based pension and the so-called “local track”. For those who have no links with the USA and don’t plan to reside in a “dollarised” country, the US Dollar track has no real interest. Rather, we advise our colleagues to enjoy the flexibility of a multi-currency account, such as the one offered by AMFIE in seven majors currencies. This account is free, the exchange rates are advantageous and it is easily and securely managed through internet, from any country.

Rapidly finding an activity will be the next condition for your harmonious survival. Those whose idea of retirement is the couch and the siesta, are condemning themselves to accelerated decline. Never forget that TV and internet are lethal if you overdose. Gardening, crafting and minding the grandchildren, are more respectable pastimes but not everybody will feel thus inclined. Before leaving your employer, you may consider networking like mad to make sure you will be fondly remembered. The on-going destructuring of certain international organisations, mandated by their member states, results in the premature termination of a growing number of employees with non-renewable contracts. What better way to plug the holes than calling back recent and fit retirees for temporary missions? Be aware that you will not be entitled to compensation (except per-diem) during the twelve months following your day of departure.

If your former employer manages to survive without your succour, you might consider volunteering for associations and charitable organisations that could use your help in the areas of social services, education, culture, sport etc… The need for volunteers is virtually unlimited. However, be humble when you involve yourself in a group. Your brilliant services as international civil servant do not make you smarter or more capable than your new local fellows from a less exalted background.

Last but not least, in the months preceding your farewell reception (to be enlivened by heartfelt tributes from your colleagues), distantiate yourself from your daily tasks and read about the issues alluded to in this paper. A well prepared retiree is a happy retiree.

Jean-Pierre Cébron

Member of the Board of Directors