Non-Financial Side of Retirement … Are you ready?
on Jul 17, 2025
When we talk about retirement, most people immediately think of money—how much you need, how long it will last, and when you can finally clock out for good. And while being financially prepared is absolutely essential, there’s another side to retirement planning that often goes unnoticed: What will your life actually look like when the work stops?
At MainStreet, we help clients plan financially every day. But we’ve also seen what happens when someone enters retirement without a plan for how they’ll spend their time, find purpose, or stay connected. That emotional and lifestyle transition can be just as important as your investment portfolio.
Here are some questions worth asking as you prepare:
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What will a typical day look like in retirement?
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How will you spend your time—and with whom?
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What brings you joy, energy, or a sense of purpose?
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What hobbies or activities do you want to explore?
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How is your health, and what will it take to stay active?
From “What I Am” to “Who I Am”
As human beings, we go through several stages in life—childhood, young adulthood, career years—but retirement requires a shift many aren’t prepared for. We’re no longer defined by job titles or daily routines. Instead, it becomes a question of identity: Who am I now, and how do I want to live?
That’s why we were inspired by the work of Sara Zeff Geber, Ph.D., a retirement transition expert and founder of LifeEncore. She specializes in helping baby boomers and solo agers navigate this exact transition, beyond the numbers.
Sara encourages people to think in four categories:
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What you have (your resources—financial and otherwise)
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What you enjoy (travel, hobbies, volunteering, creativity)
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What do you want to learn (new skills, passions, or experiences)
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How do you want to live (your environment, community, and daily rhythm)
Your Retirement, Your Design
The beauty of this phase of life? There’s no one-size-fits-all model. You get to choose what it looks like—and how it feels. The earlier you start planning the non-financial side of retirement, the more fulfilling it can be.
It’s never too late to start asking the right questions—and it’s always the right time to build a life you love.