For many people, the most important aspect of retirement is the opportunity to spend more time with their family. Of course, it's also a chance to broaden your horizons, either by travelling or exploring new interests. So to make sure you're well prepared, it's important to consider the physical, financial and emotional changes it will bring. By managing change in a positive way, you can help you and your family get the most out of your retirement.

Physical

Whether you've spent a large part of your career out in the community or behind a desk, the change in routine that retirement brings can have a profound impact on your physical wellbeing.

Health specialists recommend we do at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day, yet that doesn't mean you have to join a gym or go jogging - your daily exercise regime can include anything from housework to gardening.

The health benefits of staying active are enormous - it can boost your energy levels, improve your sleep patterns, increase mobility, help you maintain a healthy weight, and even delay the ageing process.

For more guidance, check out the Health and Wellbeing section on our website.

Financial

Retirement is likely to bring a change to the level of disposable income you have, so it's important to understand what your financial situation will look like after you finish work. Our Retirement Centre offers guidance on budgeting for your future and can help you calculate your potential retirement income.

If your retirement is still a long way off, our Investments and Budgeting section could help you make sound decisions that affect your long-term financial wellbeing. Or to learn about Police Mutual's independent and impartial financial advice, click here.

Many officers retire young enough to pursue a new post-police career, and a part-time role can provide a welcome boost to your income. In fact, Government research has shown that nearly two-thirds of over-50's don't believe that suddenly switching from full-time work to stopping work altogether is the best way to retire.

Emotional

Retirement brings the freedom to spend your day just as you wish. Yet without the day-to-day support of former colleagues, some new retirees can end up feeling bored or unfulfilled. So taking steps to fill your day can help maintain a healthy emotional state.

It's important stay socially active once you're retired, so if you've never had time for a serious hobby, now could be the perfect time to find one. Or if you're keen to continue playing a more productive role in society, why not consider volunteering or mentoring?

Retiring Police Officers have an enormous amount of experience, so they're valued as volunteers or mentors by a wide range of organisations. Act as mentor with The Prince's Trust, and you could provide one-to-one support for young people seeking to move towards employment, education or training. The Prince's Trust mentors are expected to commit to around 4 - 6 hours per month for a minimum of one year, and it's an opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of young people.

Barnardo's is another UK-wide organisation that's always on the lookout for volunteers to provide support to vulnerable children and young people. Plus there are a huge number of local groups right across the UK who would love to add a retiring Police Officer to their volunteer staff.

So whether you're planning your retirement or have already retired, visit our online Retirement Centre - it's packed with practical tips on everything from pensions to post-retirement courses. And to help you make sound financial decisions now, our police pension calculator can help you estimate your future income when you retire.

Note: The pension and commutation calculator is intended for illustrative purposes only.