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Retirement for Two
In Retirement for Two, psychologist Maryanne Vandervelde, author of the breakthrough book The Changing Life of the Corporate Wife, and human resources consultant, picks up where the standard retirement guides leave off. Vandervelde helps spouses-- nearing or already in retirement--confront, with honesty, respect, and humour, the conflicts and adjustments unique at this stage of life.
Vandervelde doesn't give tax or estate planning, or 401K advice; that she leaves to the money men and women (she does deal with the emotional fallout of money and spending, like not having enough). She explores the challenges for couples, who upon retirement find they have many more choices than ever before, and therefore ample room for disagreement and disappointment. Even couples who think they've experienced it all are often suprised by retirements' special challenges.
Retirement for Two offers commonsense advice, tackling such issues
*Where will you live? Will you downsize? Move south or west? Split time between city and country? Live apart/together for some time each year?
*What will you do with your time?
*What will your relationships with kids and grandkids be like?
*What kind of social life do you want?
*What do you each desire for the rest of your lives? What happens when you want different things? Have different goals?
*Sex and intimacy.
*getting strong, staying healthy, dealing with a spouse's illness.
Whether you are already grappling with post-work issues, or are approaching retirement age and thinking about how it is all going to work out, here is an invaluable tool you can use to help your relationship--and yourself--survive and thrive through some of the best years of your life.
Vandervelde doesn't give tax or estate planning, or 401K advice; that she leaves to the money men and women (she does deal with the emotional fallout of money and spending, like not having enough). She explores the challenges for couples, who upon retirement find they have many more choices than ever before, and therefore ample room for disagreement and disappointment. Even couples who think they've experienced it all are often suprised by retirements' special challenges.
Retirement for Two offers commonsense advice, tackling such issues
*Where will you live? Will you downsize? Move south or west? Split time between city and country? Live apart/together for some time each year?
*What will you do with your time?
*What will your relationships with kids and grandkids be like?
*What kind of social life do you want?
*What do you each desire for the rest of your lives? What happens when you want different things? Have different goals?
*Sex and intimacy.
*getting strong, staying healthy, dealing with a spouse's illness.
Whether you are already grappling with post-work issues, or are approaching retirement age and thinking about how it is all going to work out, here is an invaluable tool you can use to help your relationship--and yourself--survive and thrive through some of the best years of your life.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published August 3, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 16, 2018
Very helpful information with questions to discuss with your spouse.
December 26, 2016
Retirement for Two is a good book for anyone preparing to retire to read. It it not expertly written but does include many topics that need to be discussed before retirement. There are also examples of what retired people experienced as a couple once they retired. Some of those examples are good in that they were able to work things out and compromise while others were not.
Most of the chapters include topics that should have already been considered but it serves as a good reminder. Examples such as where to retire, how to set goals, allowing private time vs couple time can certainly be an issue in retirement or, for that matter, any time in a long-term relationship. Each chapter ends with questions to consider. Although I loved the idea or having those as a topic of discussion, I found many to be too simplistic and redundant.
Overall, this book serves as a helpful tool to provide potential issues that will show up during retirement. It gives topics to be discussed and opens communication. I'd recommend it for future retirees as a one time read. It is not a reference manual.
Most of the chapters include topics that should have already been considered but it serves as a good reminder. Examples such as where to retire, how to set goals, allowing private time vs couple time can certainly be an issue in retirement or, for that matter, any time in a long-term relationship. Each chapter ends with questions to consider. Although I loved the idea or having those as a topic of discussion, I found many to be too simplistic and redundant.
Overall, this book serves as a helpful tool to provide potential issues that will show up during retirement. It gives topics to be discussed and opens communication. I'd recommend it for future retirees as a one time read. It is not a reference manual.
December 14, 2012
This will provoke such good discussion for those about to retire - or are dealing with the challenges of two retirees in the same house.
May 29, 2017
It contains a lot of good thoughts about areas that married couples should discuss as they face retirement.
July 21, 2013
mostly drivel - read it as I was getting ready to retire - not a big help
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews