End your job, keep your friends

Retirement presents both opportunities and challenges, including the need for continued social connection, intellectual engagement and access to reliable information and resources to promote enjoyment in one’s later life. Local university and college retiree associations in Canada, supported by their national organization, the College and University Retiree Association of Canada / Associations de retraités des universités et collèges due Canada (CURAC/ARUCC) offer practical suggestions to promote quality of life in retirement for older persons.  

As the vice president of College and University Retiree Associations of Canada and an executive member of the University of Calgary Retirees Association, I would like to outline some concrete ways individuals can benefit from participation in their local and national associations. Primary areas include social engagement, lifelong learning, advocacy, volunteering, access to shared benefits and information flow.  

Retirement is often accompanied by a shift in daily structure, social networks and access to institutional resources. While many retirees seek opportunities for engagement, learning and contribution, identifying accessible and sustainable pathways can be challenging. Retiree associations affiliated with academic institutions provide one such pathway, offering a combination of local community and access to broader national networks. 

Organizations such as CURAC/ARUCC connect more than 40 local retiree associations across Canada, creating a “network of networks” that supports local retirees through shared resources, communication and social engagement. The benefits of this structure are often described at the organizational level; however, its value can be more clearly understood when translated into practical actions for individual retirees. 

Social Engagement  

Participation in local retiree association activities provides structured opportunities to meet others with shared experiences of campus life, as well as new connection opportunities. 

Practically, retirees can benefit by: 

• attending local or out-of-town events, either in person or online; 
• attending our national conference; and 
• participating in small group activities such as book clubs or bird watching. 

Through coordination by the national organization, local connections can extend beyond geographic boundaries, encouraging retirees to engage with a wider community of peers.  

Lifelong Learning  

Retiree associations provide access to lectures, webinars and educational programs that are both accessible and relevant. 

Retirees can make practical use of these opportunities by: 

• enrolling in webinars or lecture series; 
• participating online in learning opportunities offered by retiree associations from across Canada; 
• joining book clubs or discussion groups; and 
• exploring new subject areas without the pressures of formal assessment. 

Online participation is increasingly central to these opportunities. While some retirees face barriers related to technology, our national and local associations can provide guidance and support, enabling broader access to digital learning environments. 

Advocacy  

Retirees often have insights into issues affecting older adults, including health care, social policy and community services. Individually, it may be difficult to influence policy; however, retiree associations provide a mechanism for collective advocacy that can influence governmental policy and action. 

Practical engagement includes: 

• contributing to consultations, surveys or discussions; 
• participating in events focused on policy issues affecting older persons; and 
• sharing personal experiences that inform advocacy positions. 

CURAC/ARUCC can translate these submissions into coordinated policy statements, ensuring that local perspectives are represented in broader discussions. 

Volunteering  

Retiree associations, on the local and national levels, rely on volunteer participation, offering retirees opportunities to contribute their skills and experience in meaningful ways. 

Practical roles may include: 

• providing submissions to newsletters or websites; 
• assisting with event planning or conference coordination; and 
• contributing to committee work. 

CURAC/ARUCC provides templates, mentorship and shared resources to support volunteers, making participation accessible regardless of prior experience. Volunteering can enhance a sense of purpose while strengthening the association itself. 

Access to Shared Benefits 

In addition to social and intellectual opportunities, retiree associations may offer access to group benefits. 

Retirees can benefit by: 

• exploring available programs such as insurance, travel opportunities, or health promotion (e.g. hearing, vision) discounts; and
• using national association resources to simplify local administrative needs. 

These services reduce individual work while providing practical value through collective organization. 

Communication and Information Access 

Effective communication is essential for helping retirees stay informed about opportunities, events, and issues that affect their quality of life. 

Retirees can: 

• subscribe and contribute to local and national retiree association newsletters; and 
• regularly review association websites to identify relevant activities. 

National communication frameworks help promote local activities while ensuring that retirees have access to a credible flow of current information. 

In summary, reframing retiree associations from organizational entities to practical resources highlights their potential to support everyday life in one’s retirement. The integration of local and national structures enables both personalized engagement and access to broader opportunities. The effectiveness of this model depends on active participation by retirees, as well as continued efforts by associations to reduce barriers to access, particularly in relation to online engagement and communication. 

The national (CURAC/ARUCC) and local retiree associations provide a practical infrastructure for enhancing quality of life in retirement. Through opportunities for social connection, learning, advocacy, contribution and access to mutual benefits, they support retirees to remain engaged and connected. By taking a proactive approach to participation, retirees can make effective use of these resources, transforming retirement into a period of continued growth, connection, and contribution.