1. The Retirement Compass
ELGPN WP2 Meeting Warsaw, April 2012
Dr. Bernhard Jenschke, National Guidance Forum, Germany

2. Overview
Background
Aims and purposes
Methods
Content
Implementation

4. Background
Invented as part of the programme „Local Learning“ which aims to support municipalities in developing a coherent education management
Programme „Local Learning“ financed by the Federal Education Ministry
Developed by a municipal guidance service in the city of Leipzig
Inspired by portfolio-approaches for young people and for competence assessment

5. Aims and purposes
Support the orientation for and planning of retirement
Manage the transition into retirement as a conscious step
Improve self-knowledge, self-reflection and planning and acknowledging personal interests
openess – allows all outcomes (including the decision, not to plan anything)
Information on opportunities, possibilities, services in the municipality

6. Methods Portfolio approach using different methods
May be used by oneself
Professional support by a career guidance practitioner is adviced and available
Encourages to exchange reflections, ideas and plans with friends, family and colleagues

7. Contents: reflection
Reflection of working life (what would you miss once you will have retired? What would you not miss at all?) -> mind mapping
2. Sorting out of interests, likes and dislikes
-> what would you take (a.e. friendship to colleagues, acknowledgement and praise),
-> what would you leave (a.e. stress, strict working hours
-> what are you already carrying (a.e. doing more sports, travelling)

8. Contents: collecting ideas
3. Take time and collect things you would like to do:
-> for myself (a.e. learning a language, spend time in the garden, meeting more with friends)
-> for others (a.e. voluntary work for mirgants)
4. Mark the ideas according to priority

9. Contents: planning steps
5. Making plans: Following the priorities, make a list or write down in a letter or calender what you are going to do first and second - also note how you implement these plans

10. Contents: information
6. information on local services including contact adresses:
agencies for voluntary work
educational provisions
Associations and clubs for senior citizens
Socio-cultural centers, multi-generation houses
sports clubs and animal protection provisions …

11. Implementation First piloted 2010 in the municipial administration
Since June 2011 used in municipial administration on a regular basis: employees going into retirement are encouraged to use the retirement compass
other cities are already interested (Dresden: office for senior citizens – cooperation agreement)
A special version for blind and visually impaired people is availlable (developed in cooperation for the central library for blind people in Leipzig)
Side effect: Stronger local networks between the relevant stakeholders in the field of education and social work for senior citizens

12. Thank you for your attention!
Dr. Bernhard Jenschke, Nationales Forum Beratung (nfb) Kurfürstenstr. 131, D Berlin