The many faces of retirement

The Star

21-05-2025

In the early hours of the morning, with the morning mist still clinging to the damp football field, folk are already filling into Kompleks Sukan Bangi in Selangor. They are regulars at the spot: Joggers, brisk walkers, and tai chi enthusiasts.
Among them is Saziah Samsuri, who has faithfully made the trip to the complex part of her morning routine for some years now. She's chosen to navigate through the early morning traffic in exchange for a dose of fulfilling 'me' time.
'My morning is no longer a frantic rush now,' she says. 'It begins with me performing my long, peaceful subuh prayers followed by my time here.'
Saziah is 65 and retired. Retirement, she says, has allowed her flexibility and greater control of her time, a stark contrast to her demanding career as head of sales at a telecommunications company.
Every morning, Saziah completes eight rounds on the stadium's outer track, followed by exercises on the provided apparatus, dedicating a full hour to her well-being.
'The big change is the freedom to do what I want to do, when and with whom I want to do it!' declares the mother of three, aged 32 to 39, from Bangi in Selangor.
She even has time to include a weekly yoga session, online Arabic classes, watching her favourite religious preachers on YouTube, and spending more time with her family and friends.
Though time is something she has on her side, Saziah says that retirement is not about slowing down; it's about reclaiming life on her own terms. Like many retirees, she sees this phase as an opportunity to nurture her passions, reconnect with loved ones, and invest in her well-being.
Adjusting to a new life
It is common to associate retirement with ageing; and ageing, inevitably, comes with adjustments, Saziah acquiesces.
'Initially it was daunting knowing that I don't have that fixed salary in my account every month,' admits Saziah. 'However, I learned to adjust.'
She began applying prudence as her guiding principle on spending, helping her to distinguish between needs and wants.
She also struggled to adjust to the wealth of time she had right after her retirement, admitting to feeling lonely without staff reporting to her or meetings with her boss.
'But, not having the stress of achieving the yearly sales target on my shoulders quickly made me appreciate my freedom more,' she says. 'And besides, it gave me time to reconnect with my old friends and make new friends.'
Saziah considers herself fortunate to be in good health but she acknowledges the importance of maintaining it.
'I still maintain my yearly medical check-ups, and so far, I don't have any serious health conditions,' she says.
She also says as she ages, she is more patient and tolerant in her relationships with family and friends.
'I have learnt to accept shortcomings more readily now, and keep reminding myself that everyone has their strengths and weaknesses,' she adds.
Running alongside his physical therapist, Nur Mashitoh Mukhtar, Ahmad Fazil completed a half marathon last year. — AHMAD FADZIL SAMSUDIN
Learning curve
Ahmad Fadzil Samsudin is a walking – and running (and cycling too) – example of the saying that age is just a number.
At 73, the grandfather of four from Kuala Lumpur is actively engaged in extreme sports like triathlons and marathons. He takes extra precautions with his movements and works with a certified physical therapist to ensure his safety.
He defies conventional notions of ageing not only by participating in these sports, but also by revelling in the company of those who are much younger than himself.
'I feel more mentally alert because I am constantly engaged with the younger generation. I am energised by them,' he says.
Exuding an air of quiet confidence, the former chief executive officer and Outward Bound leader is embracing his post-retirement life with unwavering enthusiasm.
'I do what I want,' he states simply, 'it is exciting, and I keep learning new things every day.'
For Ahmad Fadzil, staying active isn't just about maintaining physical health – it's also about staying mentally and socially engaged. His approach to retirement underscores a key message: Growing older doesn't mean withdrawing from life but instead finding new ways to thrive.
Ahmad Fadzil's journey has been marked by both triumphs and tribulations, having navigated the loss of his first wife and a subsequent divorce.
But, the father of five children, aged 15 to 45, chooses to face life's challenges with honesty and acceptance.
'Being honest with myself ... accepting whatever comes my way,' he says, revealing a philosophy forged through experience.
He is enjoying his post-retirement freedom now and refuses to be quiet and idle.
Apart from his physical activities, Ahmad Fadzil and some of his peers have taken a stand against bullying at their alma mater, shedding light on issues within the system that may have allowed injustices towards students to go unaddressed.
'Staying silent in the face of injustice, tyranny, and wrongdoing makes you a silent devil,' he declares firmly.
Shum braves herself to return to the workforce after a 20-year hiatus. — SHUM YIP HAN
Unforeseen changes
While Saziah and Ahmad Fadzil have embraced retirement with vigour, it is not an option or a choice for many seniors.
While colleagues her age are starting to map out their ­retirement plans, Shum Yip Han has braved herself to return to the workforce after a 20-year hiatus. It's daunting but Shum has chosen to put herself in a position that requires her to ­balance the demands of ­motherhood and work with a renewed sense of purpose in her late 50s.
'I am not yet in a fully comfortable or relaxed phase,' says the 59-year-old director of communications from Kuala Lumpur.
The mother of three girls is now rebuilding her professional identity while caring for her two still-studying daughters and a growing menagerie of stray cats.
'This stage of my life is a blend of responsibility and purpose,' she says, 'I see it as an opportunity to nurture, support, and guide them.'
Shum's decision to return to the workforce after nearly two decades was unplanned.
'Rebuilding my professional identity was a challenge, but my desire to create value gave me the motivation to push through,' she says, adding that another unexpected shift in her life was taking in stray cats.
For Shum, her journey is one of resilience and adaptability, trying to cope with her slowly receding physical strength and maintain some work-life balance.
'Love, responsibility, and commitment have kept me going, even on tough days,' she says, adding that she finds joy in creating value, whether through her work or her acts of kindness.
'Balancing these demands while maintaining my health and personal growth is a continuous struggle, but it also motivates me to find better ways to adapt and thrive,' she says.
While ageing has brought a decline in physical strength, Shum remains mentally sharp and socially engaged.
Having survived cancer, she is highly conscious of taking good care of her health.
'I focus on a positive attitude, getting enough rest, and balancing my responsibilities. I prioritise what I can control and let go of things beyond my control,' she explains. This mindset helps her navigate the complexities of ageing with grace.
Little joys
Saziah, Ahmad Fadzil and Shum are all grateful for what they have in the respective stages of their life.
Ahmad Fadzil chooses to embrace life's unpredictability: 'Nothing unexpected – I just go with the flow of life.'
Ageing, they say, comes with unexpected joys.
'The joy of seeing my grandchildren and the opportunity to prepare myself for the afterlife,' says Saziah.
For Ahmad Fadzil, the greatest joy is simple, yet profound. 'Freedom,' he states with satisfaction.
As her daughters have become rather independent, Shum values the time she has for herself.
'I can now focus on my aspirations and revisit dreams that I once set aside for my family,' she says.
Saziah is thankful for her health, her family, and the responsible adults her children have become. 'I thank Allah for His blessings,' she says.
Cheeky Ahmad Fadzil quips, 'Senior citizen discounts?' before adding, 'Honestly, I'm grateful every morning when I wake up.'
For Shum, the most important blessing is being healthy enough to witness her daughters' growth.
'I am grateful that my husband and I can still provide them with support and a happy family,' she concludes.