Retirement isn't a single life stage—it's a progression. Energy changes. Priorities shift. What brings meaning evolves. As a retirement coach, I see people thrive when they plan across all three phases instead of overbuilding the first and hoping the rest works out.
Here's how the three phases of retirement typically unfold—and how to plan for each with intention.
High energy - Good health - Exploration and expansion
Phase 1 is what people imagine when they picture retirement. Travel, learning, passion projects, encore work, and new identities often take center stage.
Moderate energy - Shifting health - Refinement and rhythm
This phase is less about novelty and more about meaning. Travel becomes selective. Daily structure, relationships, and health maintenance matter more.
Lower energy - Greater dependence - Legacy and dignity
People often ignore this phase in planning but they should not. While choices may narrow, meaning, connection, and dignity remain essential.
Most people plan retirement like a vacation. Thriving retirees plan it like a life design. A retirement coach helps people anticipate transitions, prepare emotionally and practically, and stay aligned with what matters as circumstances change.
Bottom line: Retirement is not about staying busy. It is about staying meaningful, across time.
Dr. Kevin Nourse is a certified retirement coach helping people flourish in retirement. He founded Nourse Leadership Strategies, a coaching firm based in Southern California. Contact him at 442.420.5578 or [email protected]
Kevin Nourse, 2026