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Retiring?: Your Next Chapter Is about Much More Than Money
Planning for retirement isn't just about money.
Retirement has changed dramatically since our parents' generation. People are living far longer, with far better health than ever before—both mentally and physically.
Instead of slowing down, people are leaving their jobs feeling ready to take on the world. They're financially independent, active, and capable.
And then, suddenly, they have nothing to do.
Business friends drift away, the sense of purpose that comes with solving problems day in and day out fades into memory, and you start looking ahead to the next thirty or forty years wondering what on earth you're going to do with all that time.
Retiring? takes a profound look at twenty-first-century retirement, helping you plan all the nonfinancial aspects of what comes next.
Drawing on the experience of today's modern, vibrant retirees, Retiring? offers a concise, practical, and conversational guide to the best chapter of your life.
Retirement has changed dramatically since our parents' generation. People are living far longer, with far better health than ever before—both mentally and physically.
Instead of slowing down, people are leaving their jobs feeling ready to take on the world. They're financially independent, active, and capable.
And then, suddenly, they have nothing to do.
Business friends drift away, the sense of purpose that comes with solving problems day in and day out fades into memory, and you start looking ahead to the next thirty or forty years wondering what on earth you're going to do with all that time.
Retiring? takes a profound look at twenty-first-century retirement, helping you plan all the nonfinancial aspects of what comes next.
Drawing on the experience of today's modern, vibrant retirees, Retiring? offers a concise, practical, and conversational guide to the best chapter of your life.
- GenresNonfiction
115 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 4, 2021
125 people are currently reading
488 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 15, 2023
I recommend this book for thinking through the non-financial aspects of retiring - the emotional, relational, and spiritual. There are some good, not overly involved exercises too.
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September 16, 2024This is a great book if you’re planning to retire at the typical age (late 50s or 60s) and are taking a traditional approach. The author lays out a lot of things to think about in preparing for retirement beyond the money, which we get super focused on.
Having retired early (40s) the lesson and knowledge he gives were already things I considered. What do you do for 8hours a day when you don’t have anyone giving you deadlines or projects to work on? How do you stay fulfilled when you hit a major milestone like retirement?
Friendships and social circles changing was a huge shift for me (mostly welcome, in hindsight) but I didn’t consider that before retirement.
That said, I didn’t finish this book because I got 60% of the way through and hadn’t heard anything new to me. Also he targets people in their 50s and 60s who are at a very different point in their lives from a 40-something. Thus I didn’t give it a rating as I don’t feel it’s fair to knock it because I’m not the target audience (he even admits he takes the perspective of an older man).
Having retired early (40s) the lesson and knowledge he gives were already things I considered. What do you do for 8hours a day when you don’t have anyone giving you deadlines or projects to work on? How do you stay fulfilled when you hit a major milestone like retirement?
Friendships and social circles changing was a huge shift for me (mostly welcome, in hindsight) but I didn’t consider that before retirement.
That said, I didn’t finish this book because I got 60% of the way through and hadn’t heard anything new to me. Also he targets people in their 50s and 60s who are at a very different point in their lives from a 40-something. Thus I didn’t give it a rating as I don’t feel it’s fair to knock it because I’m not the target audience (he even admits he takes the perspective of an older man).
May 29, 2021
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway. This book is a number of self reflection based questions for the person looking to retire. These questions focus on the non financial aspects of retirement which can be overlooked. If the questions are ones you haven't considered before, you will find them helpful. If you have thought about these subjects before, they book didn't provide any specific tactics or suggestions on how to shape those reflections into a plan, so you may or may not find it illuminating.
November 8, 2022
I appreciate the fact that all proceeds of the book are donated to charity but it felt less like a true book and more of a weighty pamphlet to be shared amongst the authors’ friends.
The book was written by two men in their 80’s who graduated college in 1960/1961 and were classmates at Wharton back in 1966. The first is Kaufman, who was Biden’s chief of staff for nineteen years and led presidential transitional planning in 2020. The other was Hiland who spent the majority of his career at McKinsey and then served four years as CAO at Time.
The authors recommend imagining how retirement will change your life’s rhythm and specifically how you would want to spend your retirement. The second exercise they recommend is listing activities (or people) you would want to avoid in retirement.
Activities discouraged during retirement include day trading, social media, watching TV all day and eating or drinking to excess. The following activities were worthwhile but in moderation and include reading, catching up on movies and TV, email and walking the dog. But “if you stay in your pajamas, you die.”
Plan ahead on where you would want to live and think of downsizing in the context of the house itself and the contents.
Becca Levy (Yale) conducted a study over 20 years in Ohio that found those who viewed aging as a positive experience of seven and a half years longer than those with our pessimistic attitudes (p75).
** Two Primary Messages
In the lead-up to writing the book, it was clear that retirement has changed significantly in the past few decades (duration, circumstances leading to retirement and the related decisions)
Most of those we spoke to were unprepared for the profound person in life changes retirement brings. Addressing these non-financial issues seemed to hold the key to a satisfying and fulfilling retirement, but only financial matters had gotten the necessary attention.
** Key Changes in Retirement
401(k) was replaced the guaranteed income pension plan (defined benefit)
More people retire as a matter of individual choice versus a mandatory age
People are living longer and the onset of age related health problems has slowed
A career with a single employer is increasingly rare
** Non Financial Impact
Daily rhythm of life (schedule, vacation and holidays)
Less structure day to day
Identity tied to work
Most work relationships center around the work or company itself
Professional tasks can create personal satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment
Support system of admin and other support that may not be available
Context of life will change (geographically, situationally and emotionally)
** Three Stages of Retirement
Transition (day one to the first few years)
Real retirement
Seniority (adjustments required to meet the realities of aging)
** Potential Activities
A number of these may require some lead time
Travel
Sports and games
Education
The Arts
Money making activities
Philanthropy
Group or club participation
“ Surround yourself with people of all ages, have interests beyond your family because family members have their own lives and learn something new every day.”
** Quotes
“Those who planned better than those who do not plan even though they rarely stick to the plan.” (Winston Churchill)
“If you don’t take care of yourself, you can take care of anything or anyone else.” (Ron Grant)
Anyone who stops learning is old, whether 20 or 80. Anyone who keeps learning stadium. The greatest thing you can do is keep your mind young.“ (Mark Twain)
** Books
Why Buddhism is True by Robert Wright
** Interesting Facts
The average American planning for retirement will have spent only four years in the new one job (p20).
The book was written by two men in their 80’s who graduated college in 1960/1961 and were classmates at Wharton back in 1966. The first is Kaufman, who was Biden’s chief of staff for nineteen years and led presidential transitional planning in 2020. The other was Hiland who spent the majority of his career at McKinsey and then served four years as CAO at Time.
The authors recommend imagining how retirement will change your life’s rhythm and specifically how you would want to spend your retirement. The second exercise they recommend is listing activities (or people) you would want to avoid in retirement.
Activities discouraged during retirement include day trading, social media, watching TV all day and eating or drinking to excess. The following activities were worthwhile but in moderation and include reading, catching up on movies and TV, email and walking the dog. But “if you stay in your pajamas, you die.”
Plan ahead on where you would want to live and think of downsizing in the context of the house itself and the contents.
Becca Levy (Yale) conducted a study over 20 years in Ohio that found those who viewed aging as a positive experience of seven and a half years longer than those with our pessimistic attitudes (p75).
** Two Primary Messages
In the lead-up to writing the book, it was clear that retirement has changed significantly in the past few decades (duration, circumstances leading to retirement and the related decisions)
Most of those we spoke to were unprepared for the profound person in life changes retirement brings. Addressing these non-financial issues seemed to hold the key to a satisfying and fulfilling retirement, but only financial matters had gotten the necessary attention.
** Key Changes in Retirement
401(k) was replaced the guaranteed income pension plan (defined benefit)
More people retire as a matter of individual choice versus a mandatory age
People are living longer and the onset of age related health problems has slowed
A career with a single employer is increasingly rare
** Non Financial Impact
Daily rhythm of life (schedule, vacation and holidays)
Less structure day to day
Identity tied to work
Most work relationships center around the work or company itself
Professional tasks can create personal satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment
Support system of admin and other support that may not be available
Context of life will change (geographically, situationally and emotionally)
** Three Stages of Retirement
Transition (day one to the first few years)
Real retirement
Seniority (adjustments required to meet the realities of aging)
** Potential Activities
A number of these may require some lead time
Travel
Sports and games
Education
The Arts
Money making activities
Philanthropy
Group or club participation
“ Surround yourself with people of all ages, have interests beyond your family because family members have their own lives and learn something new every day.”
** Quotes
“Those who planned better than those who do not plan even though they rarely stick to the plan.” (Winston Churchill)
“If you don’t take care of yourself, you can take care of anything or anyone else.” (Ron Grant)
Anyone who stops learning is old, whether 20 or 80. Anyone who keeps learning stadium. The greatest thing you can do is keep your mind young.“ (Mark Twain)
** Books
Why Buddhism is True by Robert Wright
** Interesting Facts
The average American planning for retirement will have spent only four years in the new one job (p20).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2023
Interesting work, but too touchy-feely for me. If you are into that sort of thing, I think this can be an good read for someone who wants to plan out their transition into retirement and are receptive to their ideas about how to get more from your time in retirement. Useful for pointing out that there are various stages of retirement; putting your head into the sand is not an effective plan and will do you no good. My thoughts on this might have been different 11 years ago when I was first retiring, but I don't think I would have been much more receptive to their ideas. If they really wanted to make an impact with their ideas then this should have been published as a series of magazine articles in a free to read publication. That they weren't published freely speaks to the reality that their focus is on those with the wealth to enter into a different type of retirement than many can ever afford. Still worth a read.
September 3, 2025
Helpful
I think what I liked best about the book are the questions at the end because they really got you to think about your own personal retirement. How is my health, is it really worth it to work 1 or 2 more years. What would I like to do in retirement, are there any relationships that I would like to develop, are there any hobbies or activities I would like to try, is there traveling I would like to do? There was a lot of stuff like that.
I think it would have been helpful to have more of a section on financing retirement. Maybe a little bit more on withdrawal strategies, should I have a financial adviser or not, I don't think this book dealt with that. After all, the subtitle was "your next chapter is much more than money" but still, I don't think you can ignore the subject of money when dealing with retirement. 4 stars.
I think what I liked best about the book are the questions at the end because they really got you to think about your own personal retirement. How is my health, is it really worth it to work 1 or 2 more years. What would I like to do in retirement, are there any relationships that I would like to develop, are there any hobbies or activities I would like to try, is there traveling I would like to do? There was a lot of stuff like that.
I think it would have been helpful to have more of a section on financing retirement. Maybe a little bit more on withdrawal strategies, should I have a financial adviser or not, I don't think this book dealt with that. After all, the subtitle was "your next chapter is much more than money" but still, I don't think you can ignore the subject of money when dealing with retirement. 4 stars.
March 17, 2022
Most people make financial plans for retirement & that is critical to retiring comfortably. Many do not spend enough time emotionally preparing for retirement. When we retire, life changes in many ways. I for one, and like many, have drawn a lot of my identity from my work. Well, what happens when work as we know it ends? That’s what this book deals with … Planning for the non-financial part of retirement. Lots of thought provoking content, mainly centered on identifying what we need in order to lead a life of meaning and purpose when the work stops. I’m retiring at the end of April & plan on spending my time between now & then (and beyond) figuring that out. This, along with Purposeful Retirement by Hyrum Smith, provide an excellent start for this journey.
December 9, 2022
I guess I was not the target audience of this book, they do preface it with the statements that they can not speak for women and I guess that’s what I felt here. I am a boomer professional woman with 41+ years in frontline healthcare, I’ve had to incorporate many of the suggestions given here for retirement activities into my life decades ago simply to survive the stress of full time work and raising a family mostly on my own. I ran for 30+ years, yoga for 25+, meditation , gardening, volunteer work, read avidly, joined a book club etc. etc. So I find this book useful for people who have had nothing but the job in their lives. I do agree that spirituality increases as you age and I’m embracing new paths in that direction. There are a few helpful resources at the end.
June 9, 2021
This book was very well written, a lucid exploration of all those issues about retirement that are so often neglected in favor of a focus on finances. Whether you are already retired or several years away from retirement, if you work through the suggested questions and strategies, you will find insights into the way that you think about your work and the act of leaving it.
Young people will find the book useful for understanding what parents and grandparents are experiencing. Retirees will be surprised at challenges they may never have considered and, more importantly, ways of thinking that will help them construct personal solutions.
Young people will find the book useful for understanding what parents and grandparents are experiencing. Retirees will be surprised at challenges they may never have considered and, more importantly, ways of thinking that will help them construct personal solutions.
January 18, 2024
I was excited to read this book because of its focus on the emotional side of retirement instead of the financial side. As stated in the book we have so much advice and support in terms of monetarily preparing for retirement but little in the way of addressing the question, “what the heck am I going to do for the next 15-30 years?” Unfortunately the advice given is much more attuned to my 82 yo mom’s retirement journey and left me far too often uttering that cliched expression, “Ok Boomer”. If you’re a college educated middle class formerly successful white dude who’s worried they’re playing too much golf, then this is the book for you. Otherwise keep looking.
June 7, 2021
I won a free Kindle version of this book through Goodreads Giveaways.
I'm not close to retirement yet, but I think it's good to plan ahead. This book focuses on the parts of retirement other than money. What are you going to do with all that time and does it line up with what your spouse has in mind? This book lays out step-by-step questions for you to ask yourself as you design the retirement of your dreams.
I'm not close to retirement yet, but I think it's good to plan ahead. This book focuses on the parts of retirement other than money. What are you going to do with all that time and does it line up with what your spouse has in mind? This book lays out step-by-step questions for you to ask yourself as you design the retirement of your dreams.
May 10, 2021
Not just for retiring.
I would recommend this book to anyone finding themselves at a cross roads in life. That could obviously be someone planning their retirement but I think it also provides a context for someone starting their life after college, for example, and being confronted for the first time with all of life’s choices.
A friend who is only 36 is looking seriously at where and how he wants to construct his remaining life. He has built a successful and self sustaining company and is anxious about where he goes from here. Sometimes life’s vast choices can confuse or intimidate. This book is a good framework for anyone who wants to plan their best course of action to continue their lives with happiness.
I would recommend this book to anyone finding themselves at a cross roads in life. That could obviously be someone planning their retirement but I think it also provides a context for someone starting their life after college, for example, and being confronted for the first time with all of life’s choices.
A friend who is only 36 is looking seriously at where and how he wants to construct his remaining life. He has built a successful and self sustaining company and is anxious about where he goes from here. Sometimes life’s vast choices can confuse or intimidate. This book is a good framework for anyone who wants to plan their best course of action to continue their lives with happiness.
July 14, 2021
This is an excellent book about preparing for the non-financial aspect of retirement. From spirituality to physical concerns, this concise book covers it all. Since I am approaching retirement, everything said made a lot of sense to me.
I received this Kindle version as part of Goodreads giveaway.
I received this Kindle version as part of Goodreads giveaway.
October 27, 2021
Good advice on where to begin.
This book is very helpful on getting you thinking about, and how to start planning for your retirement. If you're already retired, it should help you focus on what you can and should do to enjoy retirement. However you need to do the work!!
This book is very helpful on getting you thinking about, and how to start planning for your retirement. If you're already retired, it should help you focus on what you can and should do to enjoy retirement. However you need to do the work!!
March 16, 2022
Excellent straightforward advice!
Wonderful resource with great practical advice for preparing for the non-financial part of retirement. Very relevant as I complete the 15th month of my retirement at the end of 2020. Definitely recommend!
Wonderful resource with great practical advice for preparing for the non-financial part of retirement. Very relevant as I complete the 15th month of my retirement at the end of 2020. Definitely recommend!
June 6, 2021
I loved it. This book offered such great insight. I will recommended to my friends that are getting ready for this important phase of life.
June 9, 2021
Great tool for looking at retirement in ways that are not financial. I enjoyed it immensely!
June 10, 2021
Retirement is not just about money. Thishis book helps you plan the other aspects that come along with it.
September 22, 2021
There was some new information, but I found most of this repeated in other retirement planning books. It was an okay read.
April 7, 2022
This was very informative. I'll keep it handy and refer back to it as my new retirement settles in.
September 27, 2023
A solid 3.5
Made some good points - will refer to again.
Made some good points - will refer to again.
July 1, 2024
Great resource to get you to plan the important non-financial side of retirement. My identity is so tied to my career and I really need to focus on how to handle that separation
September 25, 2024
Easy read. Probably could have got the point across in a few paragraphs.
November 19, 2024
Helpful advice and useful exercises to help lead you to a successful retirement.
May 9, 2025
Good advice about retirement planning.
November 6, 2024
A good book with a solid and flexible approach that touches all the bases to bring you home safe. A nice set of appendices and worksheet to help walk you through the process, plus plenty of resources on their web site.
I think a lot of people approach retirement like they do for life after high school. Some have solid concrete plans that match their abilities, whether at college or a trade profession. Others go off to college without any idea of what really interests them or they just plan to find a job and start working. In both cases, presuming that things will work out. Some people are comfortable with working through the details as they go, while others are uncomfortable unless they have a solid plan etched in stone.
I think a lot of people approach retirement like they do for life after high school. Some have solid concrete plans that match their abilities, whether at college or a trade profession. Others go off to college without any idea of what really interests them or they just plan to find a job and start working. In both cases, presuming that things will work out. Some people are comfortable with working through the details as they go, while others are uncomfortable unless they have a solid plan etched in stone.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews