Most people retire with a solid income plan but no plan for a life they actually want to live. In this episode, I discuss the five human pillars that make retirement feel meaningful, not just financially viable: Purpose, Identity, Relationships, Structure, and Well-being. Expect punchy stories, research-backed insights, and practical prompts to start building a life worth funding.
Why money ≠ meaning in retirement, and how outcomes beat incomes.
The Five Pillars framework (Purpose, Identity, Relationships, Structure, Well-being) and how each one stabilises your next chapter.
The hidden risk of identity loss after the job title disappears, and two better questions to ask yourself now.
Why too much unstructured time can feel like freedom that turns to fog, and simple ways to add rhythm without losing flexibility.
The science bits (in plain English):
Only 27% of retirees report feeling very fulfilled day-to-day (Stanford Center on Longevity).
A strong sense of purpose links to a 15% lower risk of death (JAMA Psychiatry).
The Harvard Adult Development Study shows close relationships are the biggest predictor of long-term happiness.
1 in 4 experience mild to moderate depression post-retirement—often due to lost meaning, routine, and social contact (NHS).
Score yourself 1–10 on each pillar: Purpose, Identity, Relationships, Structure, Well-being.
Pick the lowest score and do one tiny action this week to move it up by one point (e.g., book coffee with a friend, start a 15-minute morning walk, schedule a creative hour, message someone to mentor). Small moves → big momentum.
Mentioned research (as cited in the episode):
Stanford Center on Longevity — fulfilment in retirement
JAMA Psychiatry (2020) — purpose & mortality risk
Harvard Study of Adult Development — relationships & happiness
NHS guidance/statistics — mental health in later life
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"The Skill No One Taught You: Spending Money." We'll get into guilt, scarcity, freedom, joy, and why many retirees have more than enough yet still struggle to spend with confidence.
