The other day I was asked a question which I don’t get frequently. “Hey, Rick, who uses your services as a retirement coach, and why?” I answered, “Most of my clients are individuals or couples between the ages of 45 to 65, but primarily those 1 to 5 years away from exiting the workforce.  Also…

Last week at the gym, I was speaking with a participant.  During our conversation, he said, “Rick, I’m retired and I’m bored. Everyday seems the same as the last.” I was taken aback!  Surveys show that roughly 36% to 40% of retirees report feeling bored. An independent study by The Oddfellows found that 39% of…

Indigenous elderhood is a respected cultural status and a way of living that is earned through wisdom, ongoing community service, and the stewardship of traditional knowledge. In many indigenous cultures, aging is not viewed as a withdrawal from society, but, as an elevation to a vital leadership role. Compare this to Western society. In Western…

Employee Questions Employees have hundreds of questions including: “How do I truly get prepared for retirement?” “How should I spend my time?” “What’s going to happen when my spouse and I spend more time together?” “What’s the best way to maintain my health as I age?” “Should I remain in my present home?” Today’s Human…

The statistics are bold, broad and scary!  It’s time to help employees, especially those 50+, prepare for possible retirement.  Though preparation makes logical sense, facts show a different story: Employer Actions What actions can be provided to help employees bolster their self-confidence and adjust their mind-set to possible retirement? Easy: Advanced commitment: Whatever approach is…

Recently I’ve read comments on Linkedin and other sites questioning the qualifications of those who call themselves a retirement coach.  For instance, one training firm is offering certification after only 3 hours of study. Obviously, this is a marketing gimmick. To build an authentic, credible practice, training options typically range from 15 to 40+ hour…

At retirement, one relationship that often changes is with your spouse or partner. In the early and middle years of marriage, couples normally don’t spend a lot of time together. As partners, they are busy making a living, raising a family, and fixing up a home. Often, couples avoid talking about retirement because the topic…

As part of your retirement planning, serious consideration needs to be given to the best time of year to retire. Not only are there financial implications, but what about the weather?  Things to think about: Action Plan: Some employee benefit programs state you must be retired on or before July 1st (meaning your last working…

Retirement is often viewed as a sudden stop from full-time work to total leisure, but reality is different. Many people do not realize that retirement often spans 25 to 30 years. What is phased retirement? Three Phases of Retirement The Go-Go years. (up to 75). This is the time for checking off bucket-list activities. Spending…

This week I spoke with someone who recently lost his wife due to a serious illness.  During our conversation, the person said, “It’s been weeks since my wife’s passing. I thought we were going to enjoy retirement and get old together. Now that’s just not going to happen. I don’t know how to grieve!” We…