To Retire in This Weak Market, the Magic Word Is ‘Focus’ MICHAEL SURRETT’S investment portfolioNHL jerseys hasn’t fully recoveredMontreal canadiens from the market crash, but that didn’t stop him from retiring three weeks ago.

“We are no different than anyone else in this economy,” said Mr. Surrett, 64, who lives in Valley Springs, Calif., with his wife, Shirley. “We have felt this greatly with the decline in stocks, bonds and mutuals. The key is planning and having our priorities set.”

For Mr. Surrett, who spent most of his career in institutional food services and procurement, his priority was swapping the stress of working for a quieter existence that allows him to spend less time in traffic and more with his family. He understands that he must rein Montreal canadiensin his spending to stretch his retirement savings, which he said are about 20 percent lower than he would like.

Diminished investment portfolios and declining home values have forced many people to delay their retirement plans. For many older Americans, reducing spending isn’t and won’t be a sufficient option — and they face the unfortunate reality of working longer.

But a number of people, like Mr. Surrett, are all too ready to move on to the next phase of their lives — even if it requires mastering the fine art of cutting back, as one financial adviser put it. This group has the financial resources and the motivation to manage the exchange of living standards for freedom, at least in theory.

But is the idea delusional? That’s where the hard work comes in: evaluating whether you can make the transition in this economy will require soul-searching, tough choices and a return to the thrift-minded ways of past generations. “It’s interesting to see how people can and do adjust to difficult situations,” said Robin Young, a financial planner with Northstar Financial Planning NHL jerseysin Londonderry, N.H. Montreal canadiens“People are very resilient and get empowered by their own resourcefulness.”