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?


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?

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-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.
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

T. Eric Reich, President of Reich Asset Management, LLC, is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional, holds his Certified Investment Management Analyst certification, and holds Chartered Life Underwriter® and Chartered Financial Consultant® designations.
-
Higher Summer Costs: Tariffs Fuel Inflation in June
Tariffs Your summer holiday just got more expensive, and tariffs are partially to blame, economists say.
-
Don’t Miss Alabama Tax-Free Weekend 2025
Tax Holiday Ready to save? Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 back-to-school Alabama sales tax holiday.
-
New SALT Cap Deduction: Unlock Massive Tax Savings with Non-Grantor Trusts
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act's increase of the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap creates an opportunity to use multiple non-grantor trusts to maximize deductions and enhance estate planning.
-
Know Your ABDs? A Beginner's Guide to Medicare Basics
Medicare is an alphabet soup — and the rules can be just as confusing as the terminology. Conquer the system with this beginner's guide to Parts A, B and D.
-
I'm an Investment Adviser: Why Playing Defense Can Win the Investing Game
Chasing large returns through gold and other alternative investments might be thrilling, but playing defensive 'small ball' with your investments can be a winning formula.
-
Five Big Beautiful Bill Changes and How Wealthy Retirees Can Benefit
Here's how wealthy retirees can plan for the changes in the new tax legislation, including what it means for tax rates, the SALT cap, charitable giving, estate taxes and other deductions and credits.
-
Portfolio Manager Busts Five Myths About International Investing
These common misconceptions lead many investors to overlook international markets, but embracing global diversification can enhance portfolio resilience and unlock long-term growth.
-
I'm a Financial Planner: Here Are Five Smart Moves for DIY Investors
You'll go further as a DIY investor with a solid game plan. Here are five tips to help you put together a strategy you can rely on over the years to come.
-
Neglecting Car Maintenance Could Cost You More Than a Repair, Especially in the Summer
Worn, underinflated tires and other degraded car parts can fail in extreme heat, causing accidents. If your employer is ignoring needed repairs on company cars, there's something employees can do.
-
'Drivers License': A Wealth Strategist Helps Gen Z Hit the Road
From student loan debt to a changing job market, this generation has some potholes to navigate. But with those challenges come opportunities.