Navigating the Transition to Retirement

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Navigating the Transition to Retirement

• Betsy McCalla-Wriggins
• Director Emeritus
• Career and Academic Planning Center
• Rowan University
• wriggins_at_rowan.edu
• NACADA National Conference

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Objectives

• To identify components of transition
• To share my journey of transitioning to
  retirement
• To provide resources

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Transitionand Change

• Change
• Situational and External
• Transition
• Psychological and Internal

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Commonalities in Transitions

• An ending
• A period of confusion and distress, the neutral
  zone
• A new beginning
• Transitions, William Bridges

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Endings

• Disengagement
• Disidentification
• Disenchantment
• Disorientation

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The Neutral Zone

• Temporary, but critical stage to experience
• What is happening to me am I going crazy when
  will this end?
• May include period of inactivity
• Feel reluctant to discuss with anyone
• Live the questions
• Time of inner reorientation

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Beginnings

• Begin within person even when brought to
  attention by external opportunities
• Will not happen until person is readythen
  opportunity will come
• Powerful motivation occurs when aligned with deep
  longings
• Are about the process of reaching a goal, not the
  goal itself

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Transition Stages

• Moving Out, Letting Go
• Moving Through, Searching
• Moving On, Creating a New Life
• Retire Smart, Retire Happy
• Nancy Schlossberg

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Transition Questions

• Who am I?
• To whom will I matter?
• With whom will I interact and socialize on a
  regular basis?
• How will I spend my time?
• How do I feel about income change and not
  receiving a paycheck?
• What is my physical health?
• N. Schlossberg

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Models

• Continuers
• Adventures
• Searchers
• Easy Gliders
• Retreaters
• N. Schlossberg

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Recommendations

• Create a plan
• Develop a timeline
• Research the options
• Try out your plan
• Acknowledge your feelings
• Find a support group
• Articulate your expectations
• Cultivate a positive attitude

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Resources

• Anthony, M. (2006). The new retirementality
  planning your life and living your dreams-at any
  age you want. Chicago Kaplan.
• Bridges, W. (1980) Transitions. Reading, MA
  Addison-Wesley.
• Cullinane, J., Fitzgerald, C. (2004) The new
  retirement. Emmaus, PA Rodale.
• Schlossberg, N. (2004). Retire smart, retire
  happy. Washington, DC American Psychological
  Association.
• Zelinski, E. (2005). How to retire happy, wild,
  and free. Berkeley Ten Speed Press.
• www.aarp.org
• www.tiaacref.org/getready