When I meet acquaintances over 60, I see some who have prepared well for retirement. We often say that smart and quick-thinking people are good at planning for their later years.

However, recent insights from psychology and neuroscience reveal an interesting conclusion: what determines life satisfaction after retirement is not IQ, but rather brain balance and attitude. So today, I want to explore whether left-brained or right-brained individuals are more advantageous in retirement planning.

First, let's consider left-brained individuals. They are strong in numbers and logic. No one can match them when it comes to organizing 401(k), IRA, and Social Security benefits in Excel and calculating returns. They can create a plan showing how long their retirement funds will last and how to adjust for inflation.

The problem lies here. When they become too immersed in numbers, they see the world only through that lens. When the market fluctuates or health issues arise, their minds may be clear, but their spirits can crumble first. It's easy for them to push aside the invisible values like quality of life after retirement. They may have saved a lot of money but often don't know how to enjoy it.

On the other hand, right-brained individuals may struggle with numbers but excel in atmosphere, people, and emotions. They adapt relatively quickly after retirement, even when their titles disappear. They have a knack for creating new hobbies, meeting people, and restructuring their days. Even if their assets decrease a bit, they can still say, "Today is good." The issue, however, is managing their finances. Living optimistically without a concrete withdrawal plan can lead to their accounts drying up faster than expected.

Ultimately, the winner is not one or the other but someone who can blend both approaches.

They calculate coldly but use their hearts flexibly. They don't get shaken by fear during downturns and maintain their withdrawal rules while not missing out on today's happiness. As I age, I realize that managing emotions to avoid major mistakes is far more important than squeezing out an extra 1% return.

Hearing stories from seniors in the Newark Korean community makes this even more relatable. I often see those who were successful in Korea, meticulous with numbers, but fell into a sense of emptiness after retirement.

Conversely, those who may not be great with calculations but spend time smiling with neighbors and learning new things have a different glow about them. I believe retirement is the moment when the rules change from a game of accumulating money to a game of filling life.

These days, while I sigh at my monthly account balance, I also consider the value of a cup of coffee enjoyed with my wife during a riverside walk.

The latter half of life isn't completed just by getting the numbers right. I believe that a fulfilling retirement is not a privilege of the smart but the domain of those who can listen to their hearts.