THE NEW RETIREMENT - Boston Globe (spring, 2004)

Retirement coaching is now the fastest-growing field for coaches. With increased lifespans and earlier retirements, financially-prepared retirees can expect to live their new lifestyle for 30 or 40 years. But crafting a satisfying retirement will require more than financial planning.

Today, retirement requires planning time carefully and specifically, focusing on finding meaning and purpose while creating a whole new life. At times, it can feel as daunting a decision process as that facing new college graduates this spring. This new model is a time of purposefulness and life meaning, a chance for fulfillment of one's life dreams, a time for exploration, life enrichment, creative change, personal growth, and greater connection to one's family and friends and community.

Baby Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, are just beginning to retire, causing a demographic revolution transforming America into a place where, for the first time ever, there will be more older adults than children or youth.  In 2010, 30 percent of Americans will be over 50! Seniors are the fastest growing minority group in America; they are a new human potential movement and have created a new stage of adult development: renewal.

Older adults are healthier, more vigorous, more financially secure, better educated, more personally aware, and more demanding of services than in previous generations.  Financial institutions and insurance agencies are already targeting older adults because they recognize the vast potential investing in their services.  We need to recognize that this Gray Wave will require new policies, new institutions, and new ideas in order to provide for the demand for new services.  And they could use some help.
Retirement is a time of transition that requires people to give up their old definition of self, which is usually derived from professional work, and to create a new identity with a new career/life orientation.  Since there are no role models for the new retirement, (pre)retirees will need support and guidance.  There has never been a better time for Life Coaches to use their skills and tools to help older adults create the life they want: one filled with passion and purpose!

Retirement planning should start early and focus on many more factors:  identifying what gave you meaning and purpose in your work and how you can replace those functions in your new life; finding stimulating and fulfilling leisure interests; connecting meaningfully with your significant other, friends, family, and community; staying healthy and fit; finding greater balance and fulfillment; and much more.
It is possible to live your dream in this next stage of your life, but it takes thoughtfulness, planning, and preparation.  If you are over 50, it's time to get started!

Laurie Geary, M.Ed, PCC (Professional Certified Coach) is a retirement coach based in Cambridge, MA. 

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