By the numbers
Retirement transition by the numbers
Published research shows that retirement is an emotional and practical transition, not only a financial one. This page collects the strongest statistics we found, each quoted as published with its source.
Last updated: November 2026 · Published by Rarified Life
How common is it to struggle after retiring?
Common enough to plan for. A meta-analysis summarized in a 2026 lifecoachingcertification.net article found 28% of retirees experience depression, with a 40% spike in self-reported depression during the first years after retiring. The same article reports a 30% uptick in retirement coaching demand as baby boomers retire.
The statistics, with sources
28%
of retirees experience depression, with a 40% spike in self-reported depression during the first years after retiring, according to a meta-analysis (PMC, 2020/2022).
30%
uptick in retirement coaching demand as baby boomers retire, with coaches addressing identity, purpose, and relationships, not just money.
34%
of caregivers had less than $10,000 in savings and investments, compared with 25 percent of non-caregivers.
Source: EBRI, Findings From the 2026 Retirement Confidence Survey
61%
of caregivers were female, compared with 47 percent of non-caregivers.
Source: EBRI, Findings From the 2026 Retirement Confidence Survey
14%
of Americans were confident in their ability to retire comfortably, and only 38 percent of private workers participated in employer sponsored defined contribution plans (Helman, Copeland, and VanDerhei 2012, citing EBRI).
Source: Financial Planning Association, A Comparison of Retirement Strategies
$16,600
in additional retirement savings was related to a modest 10 percent increase in the likelihood of calculating retirement income need, in a study of university employees over 40 (Mayer, Zick, and Marsden 2011).
Source: Financial Planning Association, A Comparison of Retirement Strategies
What these numbers mean for retirement coaching
Two themes stand out. First, the emotional side of retiring is significant: depression rates and the spike in the early years suggest that purpose and structure matter as much as savings. Second, people who actively plan tend to do better. In the Financial Planning Association study cited above, simply being more likely to calculate retirement income need was linked to $16,600 in additional savings.
The EBRI 2026 Retirement Confidence Survey adds that caregivers, who were more often female, were more likely to have lower financial assets: 34 percent had less than $10,000 in savings and investments versus 25 percent of non-caregivers. EBRI defines caregivers as those who provided unpaid care for an adult or child in the last 12 months and helped with at least one daily living activity.
Rarified Life's Preferment™ framework focuses on the purpose side of that picture. These figures come from the named outside sources and are not Rarified Life's own results.
Common questions
Why do I feel lost after retiring?
Losing a work identity, daily structure, and workplace relationships at once is a real shock. A meta-analysis summarized on lifecoachingcertification.net found 28% of retirees experience depression, with a 40% spike in self-reported depression during the first years after retiring. If low mood persists, see a licensed professional; coaching helps with purpose and structure.
What if I feel isolated in retirement?
Isolation often follows the loss of daily workplace contact. Rarified Life’s free presentation says it explains why smart, capable women get 8 months into retirement and stop answering the phone, and what you can do to start turning that around. Building relationships into your new routine is part of aligning your days with your values.
Is retirement coaching the same as therapy?
No. Retirement coaching is forward-looking planning for your next chapter, while therapy is mental health care from a licensed clinician. Coaching can help you build purpose and structure, but it does not diagnose or treat depression or anxiety. If you are struggling emotionally after leaving work, talk with a licensed mental health professional.
Should I see a retirement coach or a financial planner?
Many people benefit from both because they solve different problems. A financial planner addresses savings, income, and investments, while a retirement coach addresses identity, purpose, and daily life. Rarified Life’s free presentation argues that a financial planner alone is not enough to prepare for the rest of your life, but coaching does not replace financial advice.
Can I start retirement coaching while I am still working?
Yes. Rarified Life’s free presentation says you can begin without slowing down, without waiting for retirement day, and even if your last day at work is still years away. Starting early gives you time to test new pursuits and routines before your schedule opens up completely.
Next step: watch the free presentation
Rarified Life offers a free presentation for accomplished women in their 50s and 60s who are nearing or in retirement. It walks through the 5-step plan behind Preferment™, so you can see whether the approach fits before committing to anything.