What Happens When the Retirement Honeymoon Phase Is Over?
In the early days, all is fun and exciting, but after a while, it may seem to some like they’ve lost as much as they’ve gained. What then?
You are now subscribed
Your newsletter sign-up was successful
Want to add more newsletters?
Delivered daily
Kiplinger Today
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more delivered daily. Smart money moves start here.
Sent five days a week
Kiplinger A Step Ahead
Get practical help to make better financial decisions in your everyday life, from spending to savings on top deals.
Delivered daily
Kiplinger Closing Bell
Get today's biggest financial and investing headlines delivered to your inbox every day the U.S. stock market is open.
Sent twice a week
Kiplinger Adviser Intel
Financial pros across the country share best practices and fresh tactics to preserve and grow your wealth.
Delivered weekly
Kiplinger Tax Tips
Trim your federal and state tax bills with practical tax-planning and tax-cutting strategies.
Sent twice a week
Kiplinger Retirement Tips
Your twice-a-week guide to planning and enjoying a financially secure and richly rewarding retirement
Sent bimonthly.
Kiplinger Adviser Angle
Insights for advisers, wealth managers and other financial professionals.
Sent twice a week
Kiplinger Investing Weekly
Your twice-a-week roundup of promising stocks, funds, companies and industries you should consider, ones you should avoid, and why.
Sent weekly for six weeks
Kiplinger Invest for Retirement
Your step-by-step six-part series on how to invest for retirement, from devising a successful strategy to exactly which investments to choose.
For many retirees, retirement lasts a lot longer than it used to. After a few years, some might start wondering what happens when the retirement honeymoon phase is over.
Why is retirement the entire focus of my business? It’s the same reason we hear about retirement on a nearly constant basis. The reason is because roughly 12,000 people a day are retiring and will continue to for the next 15 years. This is not only an enormous amount of people retiring, but those retirees will live far longer in retirement than any previous generation.
Gone are the days of retiring at age 65 only to live until age 70. For some people, retirement could last more than 30% of their lives. A nice long retirement? It’s like your honeymoon phase. Days filled with travel, dining out, more free time to do whatever you want, or nothing at all if you prefer. For me, I envision lots of travel and perhaps surfing all over the world. What’s the problem with that?
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
We Love the Honeymoon Phase
Unfortunately, they call the honeymoon phase a phase for a reason. The reason is because it doesn’t last long. We love the honeymoon phase. It’s filled with new and exciting adventures. We tend to not see issues because we are so enamored of our new life. Over time, however, we start to realize everything isn’t quite perfect.
The end of the honeymoon phase comes with the realization for some retirees that they may have lost as much as they have gained in their new retirement life. A loss of identity is the biggest reason retirees are dissatisfied with retirement. If I’m not a “insert your profession here,” then who am I?
With retirement comes a decrease in social interactions as well as a loss of routine. The same freedom to do whatever you do or don’t want causes many retirees to crave a sense of routine. After all, you followed a routine for decades, and to suddenly stop can be a difficult transition to make. A loss of identity from retirement can also lead to higher levels of anxiety and depression.
So how do we deal with the end of the honeymoon phase? For starters, figuring out your new identity can help. Ask yourself: What do I still want to accomplish in life? What am I most passionate about?
Volunteering Helps Create New Social Interactions
You have built a lifetime of skills and knowledge that others desperately need to learn. Are there organizations you want to support? Volunteering your time can help set a new routine, create new social interactions and, most important, give you a stronger sense of purpose.
Having a sense of purpose in retirement has been shown to be one of the key determinants of happiness in retirement. A sense of purpose can make retirees feel “normal” again. This leads to extending the feelings of the honeymoon phase long into retirement, if not for the rest of your life.
Retirement is far more mental than it is financial. Retirees have been shown to be able to adapt their lifestyle to most income levels, but happiness in retirement has been shown to be harder to achieve.
Having a plan before you retire can help increase the odds of satisfaction with your retirement itself and, as we say in the surfing community, just enjoy the ride.
Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Kestra Advisory Services LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. Reich Asset Management LLC is not affiliated with Kestra IS or Kestra AS. The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect those held by Kestra Investment Services or Kestra Advisory Services. This is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations for any individual. It is suggested that you consult your financial professional, attorney, or tax adviser with regard to your individual situation. To view form CRS visit https://bit.ly/KF-Disclosures.
-
How to Derisk Your Portfolio in 2026: A Step-by-Step GuideSigns of a possible economic slowdown call for balanced derisking that locks in portfolio gains without sacrificing future upside. Here's a step-by-step guide.
-
Tariffs: An Uninvited Valentine's Day GuestExpect to pay more for flowers and chocolates this year or find creative alternatives to save on Valentine's Day without looking cheap.
-
Should I sell my silverware and gold jewelry now that prices are high?My family silver and gold have sentimental value, but I hardly use them. Should I sell? We asked a professional metals dealer and investment adviser to weigh in.
-
I'm a Financial Adviser: Here's How to Help Derisk Your Portfolio in 2026
Signs of a possible economic slowdown call for balanced derisking that locks in portfolio gains without sacrificing future upside. Here's a step-by-step guide.
-
The 5 Biggest Tax Mistakes New Retirees Make in the First 5 YearsMaking the wrong tax moves in the first few years of retirement can be costly for you and your heirs. These are the five biggest mistakes to avoid.
-
Inherited an IRA? Don't Fall Into the 10-Year Tax TrapRules on inherited IRAs have tightened, and most non-spouse beneficiaries must empty the pot in 10 years or face stiff penalties. That calls for an action plan.
-
I'm a Retirement Psychologist: This Is Why a Supportive Marriage May Matter More Than Money in RetirementIn retirement, health is as important as finance. And research shows people in supportive marriages have fewer issues with weight, metabolism and self-control.
-
How Money Guilt Holds Women Back (and How You Can Send It Packing)Women shouldn't let guilt limit the way they manage their hard-earned wealth. It's time to separate emotion from financial decision-making.
-
Making Sports Bets vs Investing in ETFs: A Lesson in Expected Returns From an Investing ProThe difference between sports betting and investing: One requires patience and diligence and has a positive long-term return, and the other is a zero-sum game.
-
Don't Bury Your Kids in Taxes: How to Position Your Investments to Help Create More Wealth for ThemTo minimize your heirs' tax burden, focus on aligning your investment account types and assets with your estate plan, and pay attention to the impact of RMDs.
-
Are You 'Too Old' to Benefit From an Annuity?Probably not, even if you're in your 70s or 80s, but it depends on your circumstances and the kind of annuity you're considering.
