Retirement is the phase of life in which you transition out of the workforce and into your golden years. Though retirement can come at different times and in different ways for everyone, it generally includes many of the same types of experiences across the board.
For example, many people struggle with their changing sense of identity as they leave their careers and focus on other life priorities. It’s extremely common for people nearing retirement or new retirees to struggle with their sense of meaning and purpose once they’ve transitioned into this new phase of their lives.
But the typical experiences surrounding retirement go much deeper than a struggle to find purpose once leaving the workforce. Like any major life transition, retirement is a multifaceted experience that can change based on how early or late you are in your retirement.
The entire retirement experience can be categorized into five distinct stages, all of which come with different emotions and expectations.
5 Common Stages of Retirement and What to Expect
If you are planning on retiring soon or have already retired, understanding each of the five common stages and what you can expect as you move through them within your own retirement journey can be helpful.
1. The Pre-Retirement Phase
The pre-retirement phase takes place over several years before you actually retire from your career. This phase of life involves extensive planning for your eventual retirement while you’re still living your typical lifestyle, and it can last anywhere from five to ten years or more, depending on the person.
You’ll know you’ve entered the pre-retirement phase once your focus shifts from expanding your career to planning financially for what comes after. Though financial preparation for your eventual retirement is essential, don’t forget to prepare yourself for the major life change to come emotionally.
Take time to contemplate your next phase of life and even get excited about it as you save money and plan for your retirement lifestyle.
2. The Retirement Honeymoon Phase
The honeymoon phase of retirement sets in once the anxieties of this life transition have dissipated and you’re settled into your new lifestyle. Most people experiencing the honeymoon phase have the sense that they’ve entered an endless vacation and are spending lots of time on hobbies and with loved ones.
Some people enjoy the retirement honeymoon phase by keeping up many of the same routines they kept when working, and some dive right into a leisurely lifestyle of rest and relaxation after many years of hard work.
There’s no right way to retire, so make sure you find daily activities and routines that make you happy and fulfilled based on your specific needs.
3. The Disenchantment Phase
Just like romantic honeymoon phases can come to an end, you may find yourself becoming disenchanted with retired life after a while. For some, the honeymoon phase can last for several years, while others become bored or restless in retirement after just a few months.
If you are starting to become unhappy with your retired lifestyle, don’t hesitate to find new hobbies, focus more on your loved ones, or find ways to get involved in your community.
Finding things to do that give you a sense of purpose during this stage will help to fight off any feelings of loneliness or depression that might develop.
4. The Reorientation Phase
For many retirees, the reorientation phase can be the most difficult out of the five common stages of retirement. This phase occurs after you’ve experienced the difficult disenchantment phase, and it’s time to reconstruct your identity and lifestyle.
The disenchantment phase usually happens because retirees have grown tired of the vacation-like quality of retirement and are missing the sense of purpose they had within their careers or previous lifestyle.
This means that you may have to reorient your sense of identity and develop new passions to find true fulfillment in retirement. Reorienting yourself can help you avoid wishing things would return to the way they were before retirement.
5. The Stability Phase
The final phase of retirement comes after retirees have faced all the challenges that the golden years can present and have come out on the other side with a renewed sense of self and hope for the future. Some people reach this stage after just a few years, but some can take as long as a decade to reach true stability in retirement.
Reaching this stage will enable you to fully enjoy all the benefits the golden years have to offer.
Tips for a Healthy and Happy Retirement
Though the different stages of retirement may look different for each person, there are several general ways to make the retirement experience easier and more fulfilling, no matter where you are on your retirement journey.
Keeping up healthy habits, like exercise, a balanced diet, and plenty of social interaction with loved ones, will help you to feel supported and capable throughout this transitional phase of life.
