What happens when the thing you've been working toward your entire career—retirement—suddenly feels more terrifying than exciting? In this episode of The Money Healing Club Podcast, Rachel sits down with John Hankins, a 73-year-old financial therapist who's not just studying retirement psychology, he's living it. After 35 years in IT, John reinvented himself as a financial therapist and brings both professional expertise and personal experience to help people navigate the psychological complexities of retirement.

They explore the anxiety of managing a larger pile of money than you've ever had to manage before, the identity crisis of "who am I if I'm not working?", and the complicated family dynamics that emerge when adult children are struggling financially while their retired parents sit on retirement savings.

💬 "We viewed our future-selves as strangers... what can we do to improve our relationship with our future self?" - John Hankins

Key Takeaways:

The 401k generation faces unique psychological challenges compared to the pension generation

Moving from "accumulation phase" to "withdrawal phase" requires a complete mental shift

Many retirees struggle with identity issues beyond just financial concerns

The concept of "future self" can help bridge the gap between present decisions and future needs

Intergenerational financial dynamics create complex guilt and boundary issues

Guest Info: John Hankins is a licensed clinical social worker and certified financial therapist who specializes in working with people navigating the psychological complexities of retirement. At 73, he brings the unique perspective of someone who has personally experienced the transition from accumulation to de-accumulation phase. You can find him at www.financial-therapy.me

⏰ EPISODE BREAKDOWN

04:30 | The 401k Generation's Unique Anxiety: Why managing a large pile of money for the first time creates unprecedented stress

14:00 | Identity Crisis in Retirement: Exploring "who am I if I'm not working?" and the psychological shift required

24:00 | The Future Self Concept: How UCLA research shows we view our future selves as strangers and what to do about it

33:00 | Intergenerational Money Dynamics: Navigating guilt, boundaries, and conflicting financial realities between generations

📚 Resources Mentioned

💬 Join the Conversation

Are you struggling to envision your future self or retirement? Click on the big orange button on our site right from your phone or browser and let me know what aspects of retirement psychology resonate most with you: https://www.moneyhealingclub.com/podcast

🎧 Your next listen:

If the intergenerational money dynamics in this episode got you thinking about family patterns, dive into "When Your Parents' Financial Trauma Becomes Your Money Mindset" to explore how childhood money experiences shape your adult financial behavior.

💫 Use code PODCAST for 50% off your first month and start your money healing process!

https://www.moneyhealingclub.com/club

Full transcript: https://www.moneyhealingclub.com/podcast

🎙️We're a proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective where creators like me are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change.