Why Retirement Life Plan™?
We are in the middle of a global retirement wave. Aging populations across every continent are facing this transition. In the U.S., ten thousand Americans turn 65 every day. Yet most of the support available to them focuses almost entirely on finances, leaving the psychological side of retirement largely unaddressed.
For many people, work is far more than a paycheck. It provides identity, purpose, daily structure, and social connection. When that chapter ends, the adjustment can be far more challenging than anyone warned them about. And the professionals working with pre-retirees and retirees, often lack the specialized tools to help.
Retirement Life Plan™ was built to close that gap, and get at the heart of the adjustments retirees face. Founded on years of research into the social and psychological dimensions of retirement, we provide the training, certifications, and resources that give professionals insights and tools that go beyond surface level planning for one of life's most significant transitions.
Our Mission
Our mission is to equip individuals and professionals with research-backed insights and frameworks that move us beyond surface-level support and focus on building a lifestyle of genuine fulfillment.
Social and Psychological Aspects of Retirement
We focus specifically on the social and psychological aspects of retirement, including identity adjustments, changes in social networks and relationships, and engagement in daily pursuits. At the same time, we value and appreciate the role that other areas, such as finances and health, play in retirement.
A Global Community of Certified Retirement Life Coaches
Our global network of Certified Retirement Life Coaches combines diverse professional backgrounds, expertise, and a shared commitment to supporting individuals and organizations in navigating retirement transitions. With coaches in over 12 countries around the world, we are truly seeing the global reach of this growing niche.
Through ongoing education and peer collaboration offered by Retirement Life Plan, Certified Retirement Life Coaches partner with clients to design impactful, tailored solutions. Whether working with individuals or corporate teams, our community is dedicated to fostering fulfilling post-work chapters for all.
Pauline Johnson-Zielonka, PhD
Founder, Retirement Life Plan™
Pauline is a retirement transition researcher, educator, and the creator of the Retirement Life Coach Certification, an ICF-accredited course dedicated to training experienced coaches in the psychology of retirement.
With a PhD in Human and Organizational Systems and a fellowship at the Institute for Social Innovation, Pauline has spent over a decade studying what actually happens when people retire. The loss of identity, purpose, structure, and social connection are some of the adjustments most people never see coming. Yet most advice in this space has been based on assumptions and generalizations.
Pauline has sought to transform retirement planning by taking a research-backed approach. She draws on various fields within psychology, including Positive Psychology, Social Psychology, and Industrial Psychology, in order to give coaches and professionals a deep, practical understanding of the retirement transition, and tools to guide clients through it.
Pauline is the author of Retirement Life Plan: Navigating the transition from a rewarding career, a guide for individuals navigating the non-financial side of retirement, and the creator of the Psychology of Retirement Masterclass, a program designed for financial planners and other professionals who support clients through this life stage.
Her programs and resources are grounded in a comprehensive review of social-psychological research on retirement adjustment, ensuring that everything Retirement Life Plan™ offers reflects what the evidence actually shows.
Who is it for?
Retirees and pre-retirees
With the prospect of retirement fast-approaching, many people begin to question whether they really want to retire—is it right for you? Will you regret it? And how will you spend your time in meaningful ways?
We connect you with different levels of support based on your needs, whether providing resources and reflective tools, or connecting you with a coach to help you design a retirement that aligns with your values.
Employers
We support employers wishing to support retiring employees, build their employer brand, retain valuable knowledge, and maintain access to a flexible workforce.
Life and Executive Coaches
We support trained and experienced coaches who want to develop more specialized knowledge with this life transition, and join a community of coaches in this specialization. With aging populations around the world, coaches are finding many new and existing clients facing this new chapter.
Financial Planners and Other Professionals
Financial planners and other professionals working with clients in the retirement transition may wish to further support and build their client relationships. Retiring clients are looking for resources that go beyond finances, but they are still not sure where to find the support. You are in a position to differentiate your services and provide more specialized support.
