Stage 5: Termination

When retirement transitions into a different chapter of life

The final phase of retirement—often called the termination stage—marks a time when the traditional “retirement role” may come to an end. This can be due to advancing illness, disability, cognitive decline, loss of financial independence, a return to full-time work, or even the end of life.

It’s a stage that’s not often talked about, yet it's a natural part of the life journey.

For many, retirement begins with excitement, freedom, and high expectations. The focus often rests heavily on financial readiness—will the retirement plan hold up? Will the income be enough? But the emotional terrain is just as important. How we respond to the aging process, to shifting abilities, and to changes in purpose and independence can define how we live the final stages of our retirement years.

This stage is less about a career or lifestyle and more about the transition from being “retired” to simply being a person navigating the last stretch of life. For some, this phase may be relatively brief. For others, it may extend over many years and include gradual shifts, perhaps due to chronic illness, caregiving needs, or the need for assisted living.

But reaching this stage does not mean a lack of meaning or joy. In fact, it may offer time for reflection, legacy-building, deeper connection with loved ones, and the chance to gracefully prepare for life’s closure. Conversations about end-of-life wishes, care preferences, and final legacies may become part of the journey. And while those topics can be difficult, they are also deeply human and healing when approached with openness.

Hopefully, illness and disability are a long way off—or never arrive. But when or if this stage does come, it's not about failure. It’s about continuing to meet life with dignity, support, and thoughtful preparation.

I’ll explore these themes further in future posts—especially around aging with grace, planning ahead, and finding meaning even when retirement looks different than we first imagined.