Redefining Retirement: How to Repurpose After a Successful Career

A recent report from the Financial Planning Association hit on something we see all the time: people can have their financial ducks in a row for retirement, but emotionally? They’re often miles behind. It makes sense. Leaving a long, successful career isn’t just about money; it shakes up your routine, your social life, and even how you see yourself. Helping you navigate that whole picture – the money and the life stuff – is a huge part of what we do. Here’s how we tackle it:

The Identity Shift: Who Are You Without the Title?

If you’ve spent 20, 30, or 40 years as a leader, an expert, or building your own business, that’s a huge part of your identity. The idea of that not being your main label anymore can be genuinely unsettling. It’s the classic “identity crisis,” and it’s completely normal. We start talking about this well before your target transition date. We dig into questions like:

• What parts of your work actually made you feel energized and fulfilled? Was it solving tough problems, leading a team, creating something new, mentoring others?
• How can we take those core pieces – the stuff you’re great at and enjoy – and weave them into your next chapter, even if it looks totally different from your old job?

It’s about figuring out what parts of your work identity you want to keep, and how they can serve you moving forward.

The Two Green Lights You Need: Financial and Emotional

Think of it like this: there are two hurdles to clear.

Financial Permission:

That’s our job. We run the numbers, stress-test the scenarios, and show you clearly whether you can afford to make the shift you’re considering. We give you the financial green light based on facts and analysis. This takes a massive weight off your shoulders.

Emotional/Behavioral Permission:

This one’s tougher, and it’s all yours (and often, your partner’s too). It’s giving yourself the okay to actually do it – to step back, to change your lifestyle, to embrace this new phase, and to believe you’ve earned it. Our role here is to support you. Knowing the finances are solid makes it much easier to give yourself that emotional green light, but ultimately, you’re the one who has to feel ready.

Designing What’s Next: From Ideas to an Actual Plan

Talking about purpose is great, but you need a plan. We help you brainstorm concrete ideas for your “repurposing” phase, things that genuinely excite you. This could be anything:

• Joining or continuing to serve on a non-profit or corporate board
• Finally learning that instrument or language
• Consulting on your own terms
• Mentoring young entrepreneurs
• Planning that epic travel adventure(s)
• Spending more time on health and fitness
• Realizing philanthropic goals

We then look at how these things fit into your life – the time they’ll take, the potential costs (or even income!). It makes the future feel less like a blank page and more like an exciting blueprint.

You Don’t Have to Quit Cold Turkey

“Repurposing” doesn’t mean you have to completely sever ties with your old professional life unless you want to. Often, keeping a foot in the door helps ease the transition and keeps you connected. We help you figure out what that might look like:

• Maybe some part-time consulting projects you actually enjoy.
• Serving on an advisory board.
• Mentoring people coming up in your field.
• Volunteering your expertise for a cause you care about.

This keeps valuable skills sharp, maintains social connections, and provides that sense of contribution many people miss.

The Bottom Line: Purpose + Planning = Peace of Mind

Getting the finances right is crucial, but it’s not the whole story. Our goal is to help you design and fund a next chapter that feels purposeful, engaging, and genuinely exciting for you.

Ready to design your next chapter with clarity and purpose?

Connect with us to explore how Evensky & Katz / Foldes can help you align your financial plan with the life you want to lead next.