The Six Phases of Retirement

Written by John Register, October 2025

Retirement – There's So Many Phases!

Many pre-retirees concentrate on answering the question “Do I have enough money to retire?”, yet we may not realize that successful retirement planning ensures we have the finances (quantitative) but are also ready for the emotional (qualitative) aspect of retirement.

Retirement can be broken down into six phases:

1.     Honeymoon

2.     Rest and Relaxation

3.     Disenchantment

4.     Reorientation

5.     Retirement Routine

6.     Termination

In the Honeymoon phase we are excited about finishing work and now have time to travel or do the things we have postponed. This time period’s length is determined by our financial resources.

Low activity is the hallmark of the Rest and Relaxation phase. Our bucket list has been achieved and we simply slow down, however, after this phase we return to pre-retirement activity.

The honeymoon is over, and the Disenchantment phase may set in. During this time decisions regarding health, finances or even moving to a new community may confront us and these decisions can be difficult. Basically, we see our choices become more limited.

We are back in the saddle and ready to become more involved in our interest areas when we enter the Reorientation phase. This phase can be a transition to the rest of our retirement.

The Retirement Routine is where we are becoming more comfortable, and this can be a predictable and satisfying phase.

Retirement ends at the Termination phase. Many retirees die during the reorientation phase so not everyone experiences the Termination phase. Here is where we face end of life having lived all phases of retirement.

It is important to plan for both financial and mental health before retirement. We retire only once in our lives and knowing what to expect can ease the transition to a new chapter of life.

Credit to:  Working With Seniors, Society of Certified Senior Advisors (2005), 32-33.