The Retirement You Didn’t See Coming

by Dan Haylett

  There's no spreadsheet for what happens next How to navigate the part of retirement you didn’t plan for The spreadsheets say you’re ready. The pensions in place. The freedom you worked so hard for is finally here. So why does it feel… off? The Retirement You Didn’t See Coming is the honest, witty, and quietly radical guide to the human side of life after work. This isn’t about pensions, golf, or finding a new hobby. It’s about the moment when the external structure fades and the internal questions am I now? What should I do with my time? Why is it so hard to spend the money I saved? With warmth, humour, and practical tools, retirement coach and podcast host Dan Haylett helps you explore what comes next—emotionally, psychologically, and behaviourally. From navigating identity loss and freedom shock to rebuilding purpose and joy, this is a guide to reimagining retirement as a new beginning, not the end. You’ll Powerful exercises and sketch-based reflections to help you reset your thinking Research-backed insights on money behaviour, wellbeing, time, and connection A refreshing alternative to the “you’ll be fine” retirement narrative There’s no spreadsheet for what happens next. But there is this book.    

267 pages, Paperback

Published July 1, 2025

Reviews

[Rachel Bowlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy read and good guide to help smooth out the bumps of the retirement transition.

[Fritz Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

A "Must Read" for anyone within +/- 2 years of Retirement, Dan sheds the light on what really matters in Retirement (hint: it's not money). Great writing style and classic "Haylett Sketches" add value to the topic at hand.