For many people, work is not only a source of income; it is a source of reward and personal fulfillment. It also tends to be an important part of one’s identity.

While most people adjust well to retirement, research has found that as many as 1 in 3 people have significant difficulty with the transition. So what unique challenges and experiences do retirees face? How may you support clients in a smooth transition to a fulfilling retirement?

This workshop will introduce you to common experiences in the process of adjusting to retirement, as well as strategies for helping clients navigate this transition.

By the end of the workshop, we will have explored:

• Social-psychological challenges with retirement
• Common stereotypes and misconceptions
• Strategies to help clients manage a smooth transition
• Key considerations to explore with clients

Pauline Johnson-Zielonka, PhD

Pauline began exploring the retirement transition during her doctoral studies, while interviewing individuals nearing retirement. This is when she realized what a significant life transition this is, and one in which people are generally lacking resources and support. Following her graduate degree, Pauline conducted a review of scientific studies on the challenges and adjustments individuals face in the retirement transition. This research now forms the basis of her current work around retirement transitions.

Pauline's background in industrial-organizational psychology also brings a unique perspective to life planning for retirement and allows her to apply many of the innovative tools and ideas from this field to support people transitioning to retirement. Much of her work in I/O psychology involved fitting the right person with the right job in order to enhance both wellbeing and performance. She believes a similar approach may be taken with retirement—helping individuals design a retirement lifestyle that fits their needs and preferences, and enhances their overall wellbeing. Her blend of experience and knowledge in different areas lends a unique, in-depth, and individualised approach to retirement planning.

You may find more information about this work at RetirementLifePlan.com

Anne Cannings FCIPD

Anne has over 30 years’ experience in learning and development, specialising in designing and delivering tailored development solutions to groups and individuals.

Her experience includes developing coaching skills within organisations, implementing learning and development processes, delivering a wide range of personal and management development programmes, as well as developing a range of Consulting Skills for Professional Services. During this time Anne has also developed a variety of career transition materials and used these as part of her client coaching.

Anne is qualified and registered to use a wide range of psychometric materials, including OPQ, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, FIRO-B, The Strength Deployment Inventory, and Belbin Team Roles. She is familiar with a range of cultural, coaching and change models, and is also a NLP Practitioner. In addition to a BA(Hons) in Business Studies, Anne is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Personnel and Development, and took her MSc in Organisational Behaviour with Birkbeck College London. She has contributed to a range of publications, most recently a book on Management Consultancy practice for a UK University.

In addition to coaching individuals, past and current clients include organisations from a range of sectors including public bodies, manufacturing, scientific, engineering and IT companies, professional services consultancies, local authorities, retail, not-for-profit organisations, NHS Trusts, housing associations and police and fire services