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:

Rethinking Retirement: It’s About Repurposing, Not Stopping
Honestly, the word “retirement” can feel like an ending, like you’re being put out to pasture. We prefer thinking about it as “repurposing.” It’s not about stopping; it’s about shifting gears. It’s your chance to take all that energy, experience, and passion you poured into your career and aim it at something new – whether that’s a long-held passion, giving back, or even a different kind of work. It flips the script from “What am I losing?” to “What do I want to build next?”
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.
Categories
Recent Insights
-
Is Country Club Living Worth It? 10 Real Costs to Know Before You Buy in South Florida
Living the Dream? Let’s Talk About the Fine Print There’s no denying the country club lifestyle in South Florida has a lot going for it—gorgeous golf courses, great amenities, good people, and that hard-to-beat sense of community. Whether you’re into sunrise tee times, dockside dinners, or just want your home to feel like a resort,…
-
Incorporating Your Business: Unlocking Retirement and Tax Advantages
Incorporating your business is more than a legal formality—it’s a strategic financial move that can influence your long-term growth, retirement security, and overall tax outcomes. The entity you choose and how you structure your compensation can open (or close) doors to significant tax savings and wealth-building opportunities. Retirement Plan Options for Incorporated Businesses When structured…
-
Financial Self-Care for Women: Simple Practices for a Richer, More Balanced Life
Why Financial Wellness Is an Essential Form of Self-Care In today’s fast-paced world, self-care has become a buzzword, often associated with nature and spa days. However, true self-care encompasses much more, including an often-overlooked aspect: financial wellness. For women in particular, who frequently face unique financial challenges, embracing financial self-care is not just beneficial –…
-
Burnout in the RIA Marketing Seat: Keeping Your Spark Amidst AI and Endless Hats
If you’ve ever worked in a marketing role at a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), you know the role often comes with an invisible subtitle: “Marketer-slash-everything-else.” Expectations are high, resources are often lean, and success can feel ill-defined. Add the growing pressure around artificial intelligence (AI), and it’s no surprise that RIA marketing burnout is becoming…
-
Turning Wealth Into Wisdom: How Families Shape a Lasting Legacy
Money is more than a tool—it’s a teacher, a mirror, and a powerful force for change. From childhood lessons to family traditions, our financial beliefs and habits are shaped over time. But when families plan intentionally, wealth can do more than last—it can lead. By passing on not just assets but values, purpose, and insight,…