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The Retirement Maze: What You Should Know Before and After You Retire
Millions of baby boomers are just beginning to retire, and in doing so many are likely to run into adjustment problems, such as loss of identity, deterioration of marriage and social life, and feelings of disconnectedness to the world. Studies have found that as many as 40% of retirees have difficulty adjusting, and even those who claim to enjoy retirement may experience some uneasiness as they adapt to a life lacking in structure and direction. This book investigates the struggles faced by retirees in building a new life outside of the workforce. It provides an honest assessment of retirement, based on the not-always-acknowledged fact that it is a difficult transition with pitfalls and obstacles to be overcome. But along with uncovering problems, the authors also propose solutions to enable both current and future retirees to be better prepared, allowing them to avoid being blind-sided by unexpected situations. By reading about the experiences of their peers, current and future retirees will come to understand that others share their difficulties adjusting, and that tactics are available to improve their comfort level in retirement as well as their overall well-being. Retirees and those planning for retirement will find in these pages what they need to make retirement successful and enjoyable.
- GenresNonfiction
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
34 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 11, 2020
This book made me weep. It is a repetitive, data driven ( the authors' surveys, research, and the research of others) volume which tells you over and over, in several different ways, that most retirees shouldn't expect to be happy. And by the way, you won't be happy if you stay in your job either. Oh, if you have resources and chose to retire, you weren't pushed out, you might have a shot at it, but chances are your new state of affairs won't be as interesting or as meaningful as your job was, better get used to it. It is not a how to book, but an investigation of the psychology of the individual making this big life transition. You may find a pearl or two of good advice in here; I liked this one: "Don't prioritize chores". But really. READING is listed as one of three activities that retirees are doing way too much of. There goes my future, right out the window. By the way, if you are divorced, widowed, or simply single, your special needs are not addressed at all in this book. Find a different resource, and, by all means, enjoy reading it in your new free time.
July 2, 2021
The "Real Deal" on "Retirement" (or Other Less Structured Lifestyles) - As others have indicated, this book is one of the only ones to deal with the personal choices and psychological dimensions of retirement. Most retirement books are concerned with finances, health insurance, places to live and other "logistical" matters and either do not or only fleetingly grapple with the retirement experience. While these are important considerations, the "mental game" is at least as critical and even paramount for many.
Pascale, Primavera and Roach cover this ground in three parts. In Part I the authors provide a "Frame of Reference." They inform us about "What to Know Before You Go" in Part II. Finally, in Part III they address "Post Retirement" or what people truly encounter once retired. There are chapters such as "Why We Can Retire," "Why We Run Into Problems," "How We Decide," "How We Use Our Time," and "How We See Ourselves."
For instance, what spoke to me were their comments on the current realities of our business, economic, and personal existence. "... [R]ecent changes in the ways our employers, particularly large corporations think and act ... may have added some momentum to the earlier retirement movement ... [U]nder relentless pressure to maintain profit growth ....and to keep costs low... many businesses have had to revisit their approaches to staffing ... [They] have determined that professional experience is less important ....for corporate competitiveness . . . [C]onsequently employees have often been... under more pressure ...and less satisfied with their careers."
Among the helpful aspects of the book include all the different sources and research the authors bring to bear. For example they include work on four "Retirement Adjustment Stages": (1) Honeymoon, (2) Disenchantment, (3) Re-orientation, and (4) Stability. The adjustment model can be charted as an up and down path where people often go from elation to disappointment before reaching acceptance. Because of so many personal differences, the degrees of highs and lows as well as timing may vary widely.
Pascale et al also cover the traits of better and lesser adjusted retirees. Well adjusted retirees are not overly defined by previous roles, pursue their own interests, meet new people, continue to be connected, involved, and are motivated to travel down new paths (both literally and figuratively). They take a proactive approach, are energetic and active, plan well, adapt to change, as well as address what catches their attention and meets their needs.
The reality is that "retirement" is as much a full time "job" as any other type of "occupation" in life. Those who have fought through a career and various family and life stages have earned the opportunity to devote themselves to personal interests and needs, However, one has to have goals, adjust expectations, reach out to others, structure and make use of time to achieve meaning and self-satisfaction. This book is a useful reference in grasping and handling the "real deal" of retirement.(or other lifestyles less structured by full time jobs and customary roles).
Pascale, Primavera and Roach cover this ground in three parts. In Part I the authors provide a "Frame of Reference." They inform us about "What to Know Before You Go" in Part II. Finally, in Part III they address "Post Retirement" or what people truly encounter once retired. There are chapters such as "Why We Can Retire," "Why We Run Into Problems," "How We Decide," "How We Use Our Time," and "How We See Ourselves."
For instance, what spoke to me were their comments on the current realities of our business, economic, and personal existence. "... [R]ecent changes in the ways our employers, particularly large corporations think and act ... may have added some momentum to the earlier retirement movement ... [U]nder relentless pressure to maintain profit growth ....and to keep costs low... many businesses have had to revisit their approaches to staffing ... [They] have determined that professional experience is less important ....for corporate competitiveness . . . [C]onsequently employees have often been... under more pressure ...and less satisfied with their careers."
Among the helpful aspects of the book include all the different sources and research the authors bring to bear. For example they include work on four "Retirement Adjustment Stages": (1) Honeymoon, (2) Disenchantment, (3) Re-orientation, and (4) Stability. The adjustment model can be charted as an up and down path where people often go from elation to disappointment before reaching acceptance. Because of so many personal differences, the degrees of highs and lows as well as timing may vary widely.
Pascale et al also cover the traits of better and lesser adjusted retirees. Well adjusted retirees are not overly defined by previous roles, pursue their own interests, meet new people, continue to be connected, involved, and are motivated to travel down new paths (both literally and figuratively). They take a proactive approach, are energetic and active, plan well, adapt to change, as well as address what catches their attention and meets their needs.
The reality is that "retirement" is as much a full time "job" as any other type of "occupation" in life. Those who have fought through a career and various family and life stages have earned the opportunity to devote themselves to personal interests and needs, However, one has to have goals, adjust expectations, reach out to others, structure and make use of time to achieve meaning and self-satisfaction. This book is a useful reference in grasping and handling the "real deal" of retirement.(or other lifestyles less structured by full time jobs and customary roles).
March 1, 2020
The reviews posted are interesting as they show what different people are searching for in retirement info.
I had read enough of them to note they usually fell into two categories, or a combination thereof.
First, you want someone to tell you how much you will need to retire, or two, you don't know what to do with yourself after retirement.
Most of the retirement books cover just those things, so there's no shortage of advice. There's even a "dummies" book. If that what you want, you've waited way too late to think on the subject, and if you don't know what to do with your time, you are in big trouble.
This book was written by social scientists, and dealt with the emotional reactions you are likely to experience after retirement in the first year or so , and its pretty much on the money. It tells you where you will run into confusion and not to worry about it.
From what I was looking for, it was the best book out there.
I had read enough of them to note they usually fell into two categories, or a combination thereof.
First, you want someone to tell you how much you will need to retire, or two, you don't know what to do with yourself after retirement.
Most of the retirement books cover just those things, so there's no shortage of advice. There's even a "dummies" book. If that what you want, you've waited way too late to think on the subject, and if you don't know what to do with your time, you are in big trouble.
This book was written by social scientists, and dealt with the emotional reactions you are likely to experience after retirement in the first year or so , and its pretty much on the money. It tells you where you will run into confusion and not to worry about it.
From what I was looking for, it was the best book out there.
July 18, 2020
This is not a how-to book. They have surveyed people before and after retirement in search of data on what leads to a successful retirement and what trips people up. As a result it is dry at times, but I found it worthwhile in part because it lacks the hype of most self-help books. I can think for myself about what applies to me. One takeaway -- before retirement everyone has a flawed idea of what it will be like. Those who plan for it likely will have to revise their plan. Even so, those who plan are more likely to enjoy retirement than those who don't.
September 26, 2017
I was hoping this would be more specific to what preparations you should do - especially financially. Unfortunately, it was more a self help book about feeling useful after retirement which doesn't really apply to me. They tried to add some research in but their sample size was small and it didn't seem to add a lot of value. Ended up about 3 chapters in and not finishing.
April 25, 2018
has some good information but very repetitive, and it would have been helpful to have more bullet point types of summaries on the information. I did get quite a bit of food for thought from it though.
February 12, 2019
A great book for what to expect from your retirement but it mainly focuses on the mental transition and avoids talking about money for the most part.
July 30, 2019
Some good research on retirees and best practices, worth a skim
August 27, 2016
Last year I decided to prepare for retirement by reading some books on the subject. Unlike many books that focus on finances this book actually talks about other things one should consider. Since the authors are researchers they base their comments on surveys they conducted from 1500 people who are already retired. They address their research to many helpful topics: change in role identity when the work ends, the different stages of retirement, refocusing on a new routine and developing a new schedule, identity issues, and how retirement impacts your marriage.
One way I have found it helpful was the recommendation to talk with your spouse about it. This seems like a no brainier, but since I prefer introversion I tend to do lots of thinking and not very much talking. Talking with my spouse has opened my eyes to differences and has also clarified some areas of agreement. We do not live in isolation. Now that I'm done I hope she will read it too.
The book focuses on common preconceptions and misperceptions that can cause people problems. Their comments are backed up with data that help add insight to their perspective. They believe planning and goal-setting are keys to making the transition to a happy and meaningful retirement. However, it was interesting they did research on well-adjusted retirees, and on people who self-identified as not happily retired. Some might find the statistics tiring, but I found it very interesting.
Other books focus on money and very little time on health and issues related to lifestyle. I think readers will find the research helpful as they plan for retirement.
If you are thinking about early retirement you might find it interesting to note one of the authors retired at age 51 and the book addresses some of the issues of early retirement. The data that backs up their observations is illuminating. In addition, this book also looks at the issue of working again, why do people do it? What are the reasons? What are the problems?
While reading this book I started developing a schedule and a plan. I'm usually pretty spontaneous so this was new for me, and I found it more difficult than what I thought. This exercise convinced me of its importance.
If one thinks of retirement as entering the final third of life it is important not to think of it as "retiring" but more like "re-engaging." The book talks about the changes this transition will cause to family and friend relationships. This might actually be the most helpful part of the book. It is hard to imagine myself retired, but this book has a chapter that actually makes it possible to imagine what it will be like. As a pastor I face some unusual challenges, and the book does not address those directly, but in a general way it has some useful guidance on how to avoid the common human problem of negativity and procrastination. I don't want to be that person who has no reason to get out of bed in the morning.
The next thirty-plus years may be filled with blessings upon blessing, and this book helped me learn how to re-engage with my future. If you are considering retirement let me know and you can borrow my copy, but be forewarned I've underlined all the important parts.
One way I have found it helpful was the recommendation to talk with your spouse about it. This seems like a no brainier, but since I prefer introversion I tend to do lots of thinking and not very much talking. Talking with my spouse has opened my eyes to differences and has also clarified some areas of agreement. We do not live in isolation. Now that I'm done I hope she will read it too.
The book focuses on common preconceptions and misperceptions that can cause people problems. Their comments are backed up with data that help add insight to their perspective. They believe planning and goal-setting are keys to making the transition to a happy and meaningful retirement. However, it was interesting they did research on well-adjusted retirees, and on people who self-identified as not happily retired. Some might find the statistics tiring, but I found it very interesting.
Other books focus on money and very little time on health and issues related to lifestyle. I think readers will find the research helpful as they plan for retirement.
If you are thinking about early retirement you might find it interesting to note one of the authors retired at age 51 and the book addresses some of the issues of early retirement. The data that backs up their observations is illuminating. In addition, this book also looks at the issue of working again, why do people do it? What are the reasons? What are the problems?
While reading this book I started developing a schedule and a plan. I'm usually pretty spontaneous so this was new for me, and I found it more difficult than what I thought. This exercise convinced me of its importance.
If one thinks of retirement as entering the final third of life it is important not to think of it as "retiring" but more like "re-engaging." The book talks about the changes this transition will cause to family and friend relationships. This might actually be the most helpful part of the book. It is hard to imagine myself retired, but this book has a chapter that actually makes it possible to imagine what it will be like. As a pastor I face some unusual challenges, and the book does not address those directly, but in a general way it has some useful guidance on how to avoid the common human problem of negativity and procrastination. I don't want to be that person who has no reason to get out of bed in the morning.
The next thirty-plus years may be filled with blessings upon blessing, and this book helped me learn how to re-engage with my future. If you are considering retirement let me know and you can borrow my copy, but be forewarned I've underlined all the important parts.
May 18, 2015
I liked the book. Yes, it uses a lot of research studies, but that is better than just offering an opinion. Most retirement books deal primarily with financial issues. The Retirement Maze deals with many other types of issues as well as emotional aspects. For instance the more activities you have that will continue after retirement, the easier the transition will be. Women transition a little better at the beginning but later are similar to men. Men have trouble if their whole identity is tied up with their work role. Having and keeping friends is very important. These provide excellent insights into the whole transition to full retirement.
July 6, 2012
I bought the book for the library, but it hasn't gotten to the shelves there yet. It's sobering, as I approach my October retirement. I wish I had the time to take the advise I'm reading, but have littered the book with post-its and share them with Mike.
October 19, 2014
I didn't get much out of this book, it was mainly a lot of statistic's compiled from an online survey, while it did open my eyes to a few problem areas it didn't offer much in the way of practical advise.
Want to read
October 6, 2017Recommended by Molly Olson
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews