Retirement Sparks serves up humorous observations on the retirement process and the ensuing life transition. It is a collection of blog posts and columns by social satirist Elaine M. Decker. Those who are familiar with her earlier work will recognize her edgy, irreverent and self-deprecating style. Retirement Sparks came about when Ms. Decker began laying the groundwork for her retirement. The process to apply for Medicare was confusing and the paperwork from providers was pervasive. She started blogging about it at RetirementSparks.blogspot.com. Over time, her topics broadened from Medicare and Social Security to downsizing, planning and other retirement-related issues. Her posts address the adjustments people make as they move into retirement life. This book includes the cream of the first year of RetirementSparks and two earlier pieces for those approaching retirement. The book is organized into six sections: Social Security, Medicare and Other Healthcare Issues, Downsizing for Retirement, Retirement Planning, What To Do in Retirement, General Observations on Retirement, and Miscellaneous Musings on Retirement. A sampling of posts includes: Acronyms for the Jargon, Alcohol Really Is Medicinal, Crankypants, The Fine Art of Napping, Patron Saint of Retirees, Retirement Commandments, Retirochondria and Species of Retirees. Retirement Sparks is an easy read that should be appreciated by anyone who is approaching retirement, as well as by those who are already there. Ms. Decker has been writing opinion pieces for decades. Her work has appeared in such publications as The New York Times, Marketing News, The Privacy Journal and Advertising Age. She now has a regular column on retirement in the monthly RI publication, Prime Time.
