The Humans vs Retirement Podcast

Summary

In this episode of the Humans vs Retirement podcast, I get to have a great conversation with Victoria Barker, co-founder of Beyond Your Career. Beyond Your Career is a programme led by a skilled team of expert coaches, psychologists and neuropsychologists to help ensure a smooth psychological transition from a demanding career, which includes workshops and insights from world-class experts and a supportive community of peers navigating the same transition.

We discuss the challenges of transitioning from demanding careers to retirement, the importance of early planning, and the psychological aspects of identity and purpose. Victoria shares her journey of co-founding Beyond Your Career, driven by her observations of the struggles faced by individuals, particularly men, during this transition.

Our conversation emphasises the need for community support, understanding one's identity beyond work, and the significance of preparing for retirement well in advance.

Victoria and I explore the themes of career transitions, rediscovering passions, and the importance of values in shaping one's purpose. We discuss the courage required to pursue new paths, the common tendency to follow societal expectations, and the significance of introspection in finding fulfillment. Our discussion also highlights the impact of the book 'The Why Cafe' on understanding purpose and the necessity of values as a foundation for personal growth and decision-making.

Key Takeaways

• The transition from a demanding career can lead to identity crises.
• Planning for retirement should start years in advance.
• Community support is crucial during the transition process.
• Many individuals struggle with mental health after leaving their careers.
• Understanding personal values is key to a fulfilling retirement.
• The disconnect between research and real-life experiences is significant.
• Men are particularly at risk of struggling with retirement transitions.
• It's important to explore who you want to be, not just what you will do.
• Life reviews can help identify themes and desires for the future.
• Crafting multiple identities can aid in a smoother transition. Reflecting on past aspirations can lead to fulfilling new paths.
• Courage is essential for making bold career decisions.
• Many pursue roles they think they should, rather than what they want.
• Introspection is crucial for understanding personal desires.
• Transitioning from full-time work can be gradual and beneficial.
• Purpose can be found through exploration and experimentation.
• Values serve as the foundation for identity and purpose.
• Asking difficult questions can lead to deeper self-awareness.
• The journey to purpose often involves trial and error.
• It's important to recognize and avoid paths that don't resonate. 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Beyond Your Career 04:29 The Journey to Co-Founding Beyond Your Career 08:38 Understanding the Transition Process 12:34 Planning for Retirement: The Importance of Early Preparation 18:50 The Disconnect Between Research and Reality 21:46 Identity Crisis: Who Are You After Retirement? 27:57 Crafting a New Identity Post-Career 31:18 Rediscovering Passions and Aspirations 34:49 The Courage to Change Paths 38:13 Questioning the 'Shoulds' in Career Transitions 41:58 Navigating the Transition from Full-Time Work 44:17 The Y Cafe: A Journey to Purpose 55:38 Values as the Foundation for Purpose

Links

• Beyond Your Career 
• The Why Cafe 

About Kimberly

Dr. Harms helps people understand the importance of showing their love for their families by setting them up for success through comprehensive legacy planning.

Dr. Harms has witnessed death up close many times throughout her life. She suffered the loss of her mother and her son to suicide and, eventually, her husband from a broken heart. These events shaped her views on finding meaning in grief, and she set out on a mission to end the stigma around end-of-life planning.

As a fourth-quarter coach and international speaker specializing in grief, conflict resolution, and legacy planning, she helps people put an emotional life insurance plan in place so that their loved ones are left in an emotionally healthy space after they are gone.

Her book Are You Ready? How to Build a Legacy to Die For discusses how to build a legacy that lives on after your death. It was a #1 bestseller on Amazon and Barnes & Noble and named the most inspirational book of 2024 by the Pacific Book Awards.

Summary

In this episode of the Humans vs Retirement podcast, Dr. Kimberly Harms shares her profound journey through grief, loss, and the quest for purpose in the later stages of life.

At 68, Kimberly reflects on her experiences, including the tragic loss of her Mum, son and husband, and how these events shaped her understanding of legacy and the importance of living fully.

She emphasises the need for purpose in retirement, the significance of building quality relationships, and the power of love letters as a means to connect with family beyond death.

Kimberly's insights encourage you to confront your mortality, embrace your life stories, and create meaningful legacies that transcend material wealth.

Throughout our conversation, Kimberly and I explore the significance of building a legacy that resonates with love and connection. We discuss the importance of appointing trusted individuals to carry out one's wishes, navigating difficult conversations about death, and the emotional benefits of downsizing.

Kimberly shares her personal experiences with grief and the importance of maintaining relationships, culminating in her concept of a 'Grateful But Not Yet Dead Tour' where she expresses appreciation to those who have impacted her life.

Key Takeaways

• Grief affects everyone around us, and we must fight to overcome it.
• Retirement can lead to a sense of emptiness without purpose.
• Building quality relationships is key to happiness in life.
• Understanding mortality allows us to live more fully.
• Love letters can provide comfort and connection after death.
• We should take the initiative to develop relationships and not wait for others.
• Legacy is not about money; it's about the impact we leave behind.
• Writing letters can help express love and pride to family members.
• It's important to prepare for death to ease the burden on loved ones.
• We can reinvent ourselves in the later stages of life.  Appoint trusted individuals to carry out your wishes.
• Last minute statements can provide immense comfort.
• Regularly express love to family members.
• Cultural attitudes often deny discussions about death.
• Navigating conversations about death can be challenging but necessary.
• Downsizing can be painful but ultimately freeing.
• Focus on relationships over material possessions.
• Planning for the future can ease family burdens after death.
• Creating memories and experiences is a vital part of legacy.
• Expressing gratitude can enhance personal happiness and relationships.

Sound Bites

"I realized that I am in the fourth quarter of my life" "It's worth it to get out there and fight your way out" "Retirement is a time to reinvent ourselves" "You can't underestimate the power of those moments." "Those last minute statements are so powerful." "It's important to tell our family how much we love them."

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Dr. Kimberly Harms 01:29 - Kimberly's Journey Through Grief and Loss 09:38 - The Impact of Grief on Life and Purpose 17:22 - Understanding Mortality and Living Fully 24:54 - Building a Legacy Beyond Money 29:10 - The Importance of Appointing Trusted Individuals 33:02 - Navigating Difficult Conversations About Death 40:01 - Downsizing and Emotional Wellbeing 49:18 - The Grateful But Not Yet Dead Tour

Links

Kimberly's book Are You Ready? How to Build a Legacy to Die For

Summary

In this episode of the Humans vs Retirement podcast, I interview Bill Bengen, the pioneer of the 4% safe withdrawal strategy, who shares insights from his extensive research on retirement income strategies.

Bill discusses the evolution of the 4% safe withdrawal rate, revealing that the worst-case scenario may now be closer to 5%. He emphasises the importance of diversification, glider path investing, and rebalancing in enhancing withdrawal rates.

The conversation also delves into the risks of inflation and the significance of understanding personal inflation rates in retirement planning.

Bill concludes with thoughts on the current market environment and the future of retirement planning.

Takeaways

• Bill Bengen's research has evolved the 4% rule to a 5% worst-case scenario.
• Only one out of 400 retirees in Bengen's database faced the 5% withdrawal rate.
• Diversification across multiple asset classes is crucial for sustainable withdrawals.
• Glider path investing can significantly enhance retirement income.
• Rebalancing portfolios regularly is essential to avoid overexposure to equities.
• Sequence of inflation risk poses a significant threat to retirees.
• Personal inflation rates often exceed government-reported figures.
• Retirement spending tends to decrease in real terms over time.
• Many retirees fear running out of money more than death itself.
• Current market conditions are unique and require careful planning.

Sound Bites

"The 4% rule has evolved to a 5% worst case." "Only one out of 400 retirees hit the 5% mark." "Diversification is key to higher withdrawal rates."

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Bill Bengen and His Research 04:52 - The Evolution of the 4% Withdrawal Rule 10:05 - New Insights: The 5% Withdrawal Rate 14:49 - Strategies for Sustainable Withdrawals 20:07 - Understanding Inflation Risks in Retirement 25:09 - The Importance of Personal Inflation Rates 29:59 - The Future of Retirement Planning 34:58 - Conclusion and Future Directions

Summary

In today's episode I'm thrilled to get to have conversation with the author of the brilliant book Creating Your Encore Career, Dr Michelle Prince 

Michelle is a global leadership coach, HR technology advisor, human capital consultant and author. A certified leadership coach since 2006 with a doctorate in management and organizational leadership, she helps professionals and organizations achieve transformational growth. 

Michelle has over 30 years of corporate HR experience and now runs her consulting firm, MPrince Consulting LLC. An advocate for sustainability and empowering people to thrive, she wrote the book Creating Your Encore Career in 2024 to inspire others to craft their own fulfilling Encore Careers. 

Join us as Michelle and I discuss the concept of an encore career, which is a meaningful and purposeful career in the third act of life. 

Michelle shares her personal journey of transitioning from a corporate HR role to becoming a global leadership coach and senior career coach and explains that many people approaching retirement age feel uncertain about what they want to do next and may not know how to navigate job searching in today's technology-driven world. 

She wrote her book, 'Creating Your Encore Career,' as a step-by-step guide to help individuals in this stage of life explore their options, find fulfilment and transition into purpose driven work in their later years. 

We explore the importance of a self-reflection process to identifying passions, values and interests which means that people should redefine their retirement to align with increased lifespans and evolving aspirations. 

We also talk about the value of building a professional network and creating a personal brand to showcase expertise and attract new opportunities as well as exploring options like the gig economy, volunteering, entrepreneurship, or continued education 

Our conversation also highlights the benefits of growth, curiosity, and exploration in an encore career, as well as the importance of financial planning and managing healthcare and insurance costs. 

Takeaways

• An encore career is a meaningful and purposeful career in the third act of life, providing individuals with an opportunity to continue contributing and finding fulfillment.
• Many people approaching retirement age feel uncertain about what they want to do next and may not know how to navigate job searching in today's technology-driven world.
• Financial security is an important consideration when transitioning to an encore career, but it is not the primary driver. The focus is on finding work that aligns with personal values and provides flexibility and fulfillment.
• People in their 50s and beyond have accumulated knowledge, wisdom, and experience that make them valuable contributors in the workforce. It is never too late or too early to start planning for an encore career.
• Self-reflection is key to identifying passions, values, strengths, and desired work environments. Having open conversations with family members about expectations and boundaries can also help in designing an encore career. Self-reflection and identifying passions and interests are crucial in transitioning into an encore career.
• Expanding knowledge and skills through education and certifications can help overcome imposter syndrome and enhance credibility.
• Building a professional network and creating a personal brand are essential for attracting opportunities and showcasing expertise.
• Growth, curiosity, and exploration are key elements of an encore career, promoting wellbeing and preventing cognitive decline.
• Financial planning and managing healthcare and insurance costs are important considerations in an encore career.

Sound Bites

"An encore career is a meaningful and purposeful career in the third act of life." "Many people who are approaching retirement age feel uncertain about what they want to do next." "Financial security is important, but it is not the primary driver of an encore career." "You can create and design your own scenario" "It's important that you communicate" "Reflecting on your passions...what truly excites you"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Journey 05:16 Redefining Retirement and the Encore Career Movement 09:24 Challenges of Traditional Retirement Options 13:24 Increased Lifespans and Evolving Aspirations 18:38 Retirement Insecurity and Financial Considerations 24:13 The Value of Wisdom and Knowledge in the Third Act 26:21 Identifying Passions, Values, and Strengths 28:11 Transitioning into an Encore Career: Reflection and Passion 30:08 Building a Professional Network and Personal Brand for an Encore Career 36:07 Embracing Growth, Curiosity, and Exploration in an Encore Career 52:47 Financial Planning and Healthcare Considerations in an Encore Career

Links

• Michelle's book Creating Your Encore Career 

Summary

Today’s conversation is a first for my podcast in that I welcome back a previous guest! 

And I couldn't think of having my first repeat guest as anyone better that the brilliant George Kinder!  

George was previously on the show in episode 20 where we discussed Life planning and how to light the retirement torch. For those that don't know, George is widely regarded as the father of Financial Life planning and a global leading voice in this field. 

Today's conversation centres around Goerges new book The Three Domains of Freedom which explores the different aspects of freedom and how the relate to a fulfilling life.  

The three domains we discuss are: The freedom of each moment, The freedom to pursue one’s life and the freedom within civilisation. 

During our conversation George emphasises the importance of mindfulness and being preset in each moment to experience true freedom. He also discusses the significance of having a passionate purpose and taking control of your life.  

George and I also discuss the the concept of freedom and its various dimensions. We talk about freedom of thought, freedom of time and the importance of celebrating achievements, no matter how small! 

We also touch on the state of society and the need for unity and trust and at the end George shares his proposal for a legislative solution to create a more trustworthy and humane civilisation. 

Takeaways

• Mindfulness and being present in each moment is key to experiencing true freedom.
• Having a passionate purpose and taking control of one's life leads to a sense of fulfillment.
• Shortening timeframes and taking action can create a sense of energy and accomplishment.
• Working with a skilled life planner can help uncover hidden desires and goals. Freedom encompasses more than just physical freedom; it includes freedom of thought and freedom of time.
• Celebrating achievements, no matter how small, is important for a fulfilling life.
• Society is currently fragmented and polarized, but there is a solution: unity and trust.
• George Kinder proposes a legislative solution that requires institutions to have a fiduciary obligation to truth, democracy, the planet, and humanity.
• Creating a trustworthy civilization starts with individuals and businesses adopting a fiduciary standard.

Sound Bites

"There were three domains.""Mindfulness is really about the mastery of the present moment." "Feeling that I have a passionate purpose that I am moving toward or living in." "It doesn't mean that it's freedom just to go and sit on the couch or lay on the..." "When I talk to a lot of people that I've worked with, they actually talk about freedom of thought a lot." "Celebrating achievements, you know, no matter how small they are, I think is really critical to a fulfilling life."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview 02:55 The Three Domains of Freedom 05:52 The Freedom of Each Moment 11:52 Finding Your Passionate Purpose 17:59 Shortening Timeframes for Action and Energy 26:21 Exploring the Dimensions of Freedom 28:30 Unity and Trust in a Fragmented Society 44:03 A Legislative Solution for a Trustworthy Civilization

Links

• George's new book The Three Domains of Freedom
• My YouTube Channel

Summary

Today’s conversation is with retirement investing, income planning and life satisfaction expert, Michael Finke 

Michael is a professor of wealth management and Frank M. Engle Distinguished Chair in Economic Security at The American College of Financial Services.  

He received a doctorate in consumer economics from the Ohio State University in 1998 and in finance from the University of Missouri in 2011. He leads the O. Alfred Granum Center for Financial Security at the American College and is a research fellow at the Retirement Income Institute, and a member of the Defined Contribution Institutional Investment Association Academic Advisory Council.  

He is an internationally known researcher in the areas of retirement income planning, retirement spending, life satisfaction, and cognitive aging. He is a frequent speaker at financial planning conferences and was named one of the 25 most influential people in the field of investment advising in 2020 and 2021 by Investment Advisor Magazine. 

In this conversation, Michael and I discuss the importance of mindset and positivity in retirement planning. We explore the correlation between health and financial behaviours among retirees and the role of positivity in driving savings and spending behaviour. We also discuss the benefits of annuities as a way to ensure a guaranteed income in retirement and how the psychological impact of spending from income versus spending from assets is often a licence to spend for many retirees. The conversation emphasizes the need to align money with values and goals to maximize happiness in retirement. 

Takeaways

• There is a strong connection between health behaviors and money behaviors, as both involve making decisions to defer gratification and invest in a better future.
• Retirement income planning should involve considering both spending and legacy goals, and giving oneself the agency to choose how much of their savings to spend and how much to pass on to others.
• It is important to recognize and accept our own mortality when planning for retirement, and to design a plan that allows us to spend the money we've saved for the purpose of enjoying a better lifestyle.
• Retirement should be viewed as an opportunity to bring forward the ability to give money to loved ones and causes we care about, rather than waiting until the end of life.
• Spending money in retirement can bring more happiness and satisfaction than simply accumulating wealth, and it is important to prioritize experiences and social interactions that provide joy.
• Designing a retirement plan should involve envisioning the future and creating a financial structure that supports the desired lifestyle, rather than solely focusing on numbers and spreadsheets. Mindset and positivity play a crucial role in retirement planning.
• Health and financial behaviors are correlated among retirees, and positivity drives savings behavior.
• Annuities provide a license to spend and allow retirees to spend more from income than from assets.
• Aligning money with values and goals can lead to greater happiness in retirement.

Sound Bites

"What is wealth? Wealth is a store of future spending. It is a store of future happiness."

"The goal is lifestyle. That's why you save the money in the first place. Let's design a structure so that you can have the lifestyle that you want to live."

"Recognize that you had a choice and your choice was: Do I want to spend the money that I've saved that I've sacrificed to be able to build or am I going to be happier passing it on to someone else?"

"How we view retirement and how positive we are about our years going forward is going to shape the way we want to spend our money."

"People who think that life is going to be more pleasurable in their 80s are more motivated to ensure that they still have income in their 80s."

"Annuities give you the ability to spend more every year and never feel bad about it."

Chapters

00:00  Introduction and Background 03:23 The Connection Between Retirement, Health, and Wealth 07:58  Balancing Spending and Legacy Goals in Retirement Income Planning 11:25   Recognizing Mortality and Designing a Plan for a Better Lifestyle 15:37  Bringing Forward the Ability to Give in Retirement 24:15  Envisioning the Future and Designing a Retirement Plan 26:45 The Role of Mindset and Positivity in Retirement Planning 28:12 The Correlation Between Health and Financial Behaviors in Retirement 35:10 The Benefits of Annuities as a License to Spend 42:20 Aligning Money with Values and Goals for Greater Happiness in Retirement

Links

• License to spend whitepaper
• Michael Finke Website

Summary 

Money and happiness expert Ken Honda is a bestselling self-development author in Japan, with book sales surpassing eight million copies since 2001. His first English language book, “Happy Money: The Japanese Art of Making Peace With Your Money” (June 2019, Simon & Schuster), is an international bestseller. His new novel is “True Wealth – 9 Lessons From a Grandfather on Happiness and Abundance” (​​May 14, 2024, Hay House). Learn more at KenHonda.com.

In this episode Ken Honda discusses the concept of true wealth, which goes beyond material abundance and includes intangible assets such as trust, bonding, love, and friendship. He emphasizes the importance of creating precious memories and highlights the need to redefine wealth as we approach retirement. Ken also explores the power of intuition in decision-making and shares three steps to tap into our intuition. He discusses coping with anxieties and fears around money and retirement, suggesting that facing fear head-on can lead to personal growth and new opportunities. Ken encourages listeners to find their Ikigai, their life purpose, and to make choices that align with their passions and values. He also emphasizes the importance of cultivating a positive relationship with money and using it as a tool to bring joy and happiness in retirement.

Takeaways

• True wealth goes beyond material abundance and includes intangible assets such as trust, bonding, love, and friendship.
• Creating precious memories is more important than accumulating material wealth.
• Facing fears and taking risks can lead to personal growth and new opportunities in retirement.
• Finding your Ikigai, your life purpose, and making choices that align with your passions and values is crucial in retirement.
• Cultivating a positive relationship with money and using it as a tool to bring joy and happiness in retirement is essential.

Sound Bites

"True wealth is something that you cannot see. It's invisible assets like trust, bonding, love, and friendship."

"There's always some kind of guiding force to just take us to something very important."

"If you can face your fear, you will be less afraid of taking more steps, taking more risks."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and the Concept of True Wealth 06:03 The Power of Intuition in Decision-Making 09:25 Coping with Anxieties and Fears in Retirement 15:30 Finding Your Ikigai in Retirement

Summary

Suzi is a certified co-active coach and has made it her mission to understand the process of personal and professional transitions and the challenges that come with them. She is passionate about working with clients to help see them through and make a pathway for the life the want to experience 

In our conversation Suzi encourages people planning for or already living in retirement to step back and reflect on who they are and what they truly enjoy, as well as the significance of having a positive attitude and choosing to thrive in retirement.  

We discuss the differences between men and women in retirement, particularly in terms of social connections and expectations, whilst also exploring why communication and setting expectations are crucial for couples transitioning into retirement.  

In Suzi’s opinion retirement is a multifaceted life transition that requires deep introspection and consideration of various aspects of life. Her retirement wheel is a tool that helps individuals visualize and address different areas of their life, including spiritual well-being, family and friends, partnership and love, health and fitness, and fun play and travel (a free download of this is available in the show notes).  

And finally, Suzi talks about why she believes it is important to approach retirement with curiosity and a sense of wonder, remaining open to new experiences and learning opportunities and how Retirement should not be seen as the finish line, but rather as a new beginning that requires ongoing adaptation and planning. 

Takeaways

• Retirement is an opportunity to repurpose one's life and find new meaning and purpose. Taking the time to reflect on who you are and what you enjoy is essential during the retirement transition.
• Having a positive attitude and choosing to thrive in retirement can lead to a more fulfilling experience.
• Men and women often have different challenges and expectations in retirement, particularly in terms of social connections.
• Communication and setting expectations are crucial for couples transitioning into retirement. Retirement is a time for deep introspection and consideration of various aspects of life.
• The retirement wheel is a helpful tool for visualizing and addressing different areas of life in retirement.
• Approach retirement with curiosity and a sense of wonder, remaining open to new experiences and learning opportunities.
• Retirement should be seen as a new beginning that requires ongoing adaptation and planning.

Sound Bites

"I love helping people to repurpose."

"Retirement is an outdated concept."

"Retirement is a chance to repurpose what life means."

"It's a retirement wheel that can help people visualize all the pieces, because it's not just a financial piece as we have so declared here."

"How are you in your spiritual peace and will you give yourself time for that peace?"

"Retirement will evolve greatly. You can't pretend it's not going to."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background 03:27 The Changing Landscape of Retirement 06:01 Repurposing Your Life in Retirement 07:49 Choosing a Positive Attitude in Retirement 09:33 Preparing for Retirement: Mindset and Expectations 12:28 Thriving in Retirement: Shifting from Surviving to Thriving 15:16 Gender Differences in Retirement 24:17 The Retirement Wheel: Visualizing and Addressing Different Areas of Life 33:25 Retirement: A New Beginning Requiring Adaptation and Planning 36:42 Retirement as a Complex Problem Requiring Consistent Adaptation 39:20 Mourning the Ending and Having Gratitude for Your Career

Summary

David is Managing Director, Portfolio Manager, and Head of Retirement Research for PGIM DC Solutions. In this role, he develops solutions to help improve retirement outcomes for investors with a specific focus on defined contribution plans. Prior to joining PGIM he was the Head of Retirement Research for Morningstar Investment Management LLC and before that the Director of Consulting and Investment Research for the Retirement Plan Consulting Group at Unified Trust Company. 

In this episode David and I discuss retirement planning and income generation. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the cost of retirement and the need to start planning early. Retirement is a complex and individualized process, and the traditional concept of retirement is evolving, David suggests using the term 'financial independence' instead.  

He also challenges the 4% rule for retirement withdrawals, suggesting that a personalized approach is necessary because flexibility in retirement income planning is crucial, as it allows for adjustments in spending based on changing circumstances. He also talks about why holding cash can provide both economic and behavioural benefits in retirement portfolios.  

Other highlights of our conversation are where we discuss the need for advisors and coaches in retirement planning, the importance of understanding and addressing regret risk, the value of spending money on experiences and giving during retirement, the impact of longevity risk on retirement confidence, the benefits of guaranteed lifetime income in retirement planning and Davids famous Retirement smile concept.  

Takeaways

• Understanding the cost of retirement and starting planning early are crucial for financial security in retirement.
• The traditional concept of retirement is changing, and 'financial independence' may be a more appropriate term.
• The 4% rule for retirement withdrawals may lead to underspending and regret, and a personalized approach is necessary.
• Flexibility in retirement income planning allows for adjustments in spending based on changing circumstances.
• Holding cash in retirement portfolios can provide both economic and behavioral benefits.
• Advisors and coaches play a crucial role in retirement planning by providing accountability and helping individuals understand their blind spots.
• Regret risk, or the regret of not doing more during retirement, is an often overlooked risk that can impact the fulfillment of the second half of life.
• The fear of spending money in retirement and the transition from a savings mindset to a spending mindset can hinder individuals from enjoying their retirement and lead to inefficient spending.
• Longevity risk, or the risk of outliving one's savings, is a significant concern in retirement planning, and there is a need for greater longevity literacy.
• Guaranteed lifetime income can help address longevity risk and provide individuals with the confidence to spend money on experiences and give during retirement.
• The retirement smile, where real-time spending falls during the early years of retirement and may increase slightly in later life, challenges the assumption that spending increases with inflation every year.

Sound Bites

"Retirement is the most expensive purchase most people will ever make."

"Retirement is radically changing for everyone, what it means to retire, what it means to keep working, how long you're gonna live, what your activity level is gonna be."

"The 4% rule will lead people into a retirement of underspending and regret."

"We are not the person that's receiving the advice or coaching, right?"

"If we create one of those [retirement plans] that's got a hundred percent success rate, i.e. we're telling you that you're never going to run out of money. That to me is a hundred percent failure on living a fulfilled second half of life."

"It's just really, really hard to spend down this pool of assets when you don't know how long you're gonna live, you know what the markets are gonna do and you don't wanna go back to work."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background of David Blanchett 03:02 Understanding the Cost of Retirement 08:12 The Changing Nature of Retirement 12:33 Challenging the 4% Rule for Retirement Withdrawals 19:49 The Benefits of Holding Cash in Retirement Portfolios 26:56 The Role of Advisors and Coaches 28:19 The Overlooked Risk of Regret 30:06 Overcoming the Fear of Spending 35:28 Understanding and Addressing Longevity Risk 39:39 The Benefits of Guaranteed Lifetime Income 47:01 The Retirement Smile: Challenging Assumptions

Summary

Today’s conversation is with the Dr of Happiness, Dr Andy Cope. Andy is a wellbeing expert, best-selling author and in his words a recovering academic. He specialises in positive psychology and the science of human flourishing. The reward for grinding out his Loughborough PhD is that he gets to call himself a Dr of Happiness.

If you put the cheesy title to one side, Andy believes there has never been a more important time to focus on mental health and wellbeing. He has been described as a ‘wellbeing revolutionary’ and his mission is to change the narrative and re-focus psychology away from what’s wrong with people to what’s right. His messages act as a gentle nudge towards people taking charge of their own mental health.

Andy’s books are frequently on the best-sellers list. ‘The Art of Being Brilliant’, ‘Shine’, and ‘Zest’ have all topped the personal development charts. ‘The Little Book of Emotional Intelligence’ and Leadership: Multiplier Effect’ are riding high in the business charts and ‘Happiness Route Map’ was nominated as The Independent’s best self-help book of the year. Andy also moonlights as a children’s author. His ‘Spy Dog’ series has sold in excess of a million copies worldwide.

In this conversation Andy and I discusses the importance of focusing on wellbeing and happiness, especially during retirement. He explains that traditional psychology has primarily focused on fixing mental health issues rather than promoting wellness. Andy emphasises the need to shift the focus to happiness and flourishing, and shares insights from positive psychology. He highlights the significance of living in the present moment and finding contentment in simple experiences and positive relationships. Andy also challenges the notion of retirement as a destination for happiness and encourages individuals to prioritize their wellbeing throughout their lives.

Andy emphasises the need to focus on mental wealth and living one's best life. Andy shares his journey of accidentally stumbling upon the science of living a happier life and the intentional strategies that happy people employ. They also discuss the power of reframing internal and learned beliefs and the challenge of unlearning bad habits. He highlights the importance of saying yes to growth and new experiences, as well as saying no to things that don't bring joy. They also touch on the significance of quality relationships, being present, and the negative impact of social media on happiness.

Takeaways

• Traditional psychology has primarily focused on fixing mental health issues rather than promoting wellness.
• Positive psychology emphasizes the importance of happiness and flourishing.
• Finding contentment in simple experiences and positive relationships is key to living a fulfilling life.
• Retirement should not be seen as the sole destination for happiness; it is important to prioritize wellbeing throughout life. Wellbeing and happiness should be prioritized in retirement, as they contribute to a fulfilling life.
• Positive psychology can help reframe internal and learned beliefs, leading to a happier mindset.
• Unlearning bad habits and letting go of negative thoughts and behaviors is essential for personal growth and happiness.
• Saying yes to growth and new experiences, and saying no to things that don't bring joy, can enhance happiness in retirement.
• Quality relationships and being present in the moment are key determinants of happiness.
• The negative impact of social media on happiness should be recognized, and time spent on it should be reduced.

Sound Bites

"There are people out there with a smile on their face and a spring in their step."

"Positive psychology is about equipping people with the knowledge and skills to take care of their own mental health and wellbeing."

"The happiest moments in life are often simple experiences with loved ones."

"They don't talk about wellbeing in a way that they should absolutely talk about wellbeing."

"Living your best life and being your best self wasn't a thing."

"The biggest barrier to me feeling amazing was actually me."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Andy's Journey to Becoming the Doctor of Happiness 09:03 The Importance of Wellbeing and Happiness 16:02 Shifting the Focus to Happiness and Flourishing 23:06 Retirement: A Journey of Wellbeing and Happiness 24:25 Prioritizing Wellbeing and Happiness in Retirement 28:12 The Power of Reframing Beliefs and Unlearning 32:08 Saying Yes to Growth and No to Unwanted Obligations 36:48 The Importance of Quality Relationships and Being Present 40:54 The Negative Impact of Social Media on Happiness

Links

The Art of Brilliance

Humans Vs Retirement 

Let's talk about your retirement!