By the numbers
Retirement transition by the numbers
Last updated: November 2026. Published by Rarified Life.
Published research shows the retirement transition is hard for many people: one meta-analysis found 28% of retirees experience depression.
Rarified Life collected the published figures below to show why the non-financial side of retiring deserves a plan. Each statistic is quoted with its source. None of these are Rarified Life's own figures.
How common is it to struggle after retiring?
It is common. A meta-analysis cited by lifecoachingcertification.net found 28% of retirees experience depression, with a 40% spike in self-reported depression in the first years after retiring. And as many as 50% are pushed to retire sooner than planned, per retirementlifeplan.com.
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).
- 50%
While many hope to delay retirement, as many as 50% are pushed to retire sooner than planned.
Source: Retirement Life Coach Certification, retirementlifeplan.com
- 30%
uptick in retirement coaching demand as baby boomers retire, with coaches addressing identity, purpose, and relationships, not just money.
- $150 to $300
typical retirement coach fee per session, with group workshops and encore career programs also offered.
- 15 hours
of ICF Continuing Coach Education for which the Retirement Life Coach Certification is approved; its total investment is $1,250.
Source: Retirement Life Coach Certification, retirementlifeplan.com
- 58%
of mid-career adults ages 35 to 44 with advanced degrees earned more than $100,000 in 2024, as did 40% of those with bachelor's degrees, compared with 13% of high school graduates.
What these numbers mean for planning life after a career
The figures point in one direction: money is only part of retirement readiness. Identity, purpose, and relationships shape how the first years go, and many people do not get to choose their timing.
The College Board figure is a reminder of who tends to feel this most sharply. High earners often build their sense of self around demanding careers, and that is the group Preferment was built for. See how the course responds on the curriculum page or return to the life after career course overview.
Questions about the research
- Why do some people struggle after retiring?
- Losing work can mean losing identity, structure, and social contact at once. A meta-analysis found 28% of retirees experience depression, with a 40% spike in self-reported depression during the first years after retiring, as cited by lifecoachingcertification.net from PMC (2020/2022). If you are struggling, talk to a medical professional as well.
- See this answer in the full FAQ
- What if I was pushed into retirement earlier than planned?
- You are not alone. As many as 50% of people are pushed to retire sooner than planned, according to retirementlifeplan.com. An unplanned exit can make the identity gap feel sharper, which is why Preferment starts with where you are right now before moving to what comes next.
- See this answer in the full FAQ
- Is retirement coaching becoming more common?
- Yes. Retirement coaching demand has seen a 30% uptick as baby boomers retire, according to lifecoachingcertification.net, with coaches addressing identity, purpose, and relationships rather than just money. Group workshops and encore career programs are part of that growth.
- See this answer in the full FAQ
- How does the course price compare with hiring a retirement coach?
- Retirement coaches typically charge $150 to $300 per session, according to lifecoachingcertification.net. At those rates, eight one-on-one sessions would cost $1,200 to $2,400. Preferment is a structured course with a book and fixed curriculum, so it is a different format rather than a like-for-like substitute.
- See this answer in the full FAQ
- What does research-backed mean for Preferment?
- Rarified Life describes Preferment as a research-backed approach to redesigning life after 50. The course page does not list the specific studies behind each module. If you want the sources for a particular part of the framework, ask Rarified Life directly through its contact page before you enroll.
- See this answer in the full FAQ
Start with the free webinar
See the 5-step plan behind Preferment first. Then book a 40-minute Breakthrough Session or enroll in the 8-week course when you are ready.