Thoughts about COVID-19 and retirement

How will COVID-19 impact society, the world of work and retirement? Perhaps the only certain response to the question is to say that it’s too early to say. I want to share some of my thoughts about the impacts of COVID-19.

Imagine in today’s COVID-19 world two people Robert and Anna: Robert has been forced out of work by the disease whereas Anna has seen this as an opportunity to retire earlier than she had planned. What can be said about them?

Robert may be feeling anger and disappointment that might be focussed on his employer or may be more diffuse, and confused. Anna will probably look forward to her new life postwork with a mixture of joy and apprehension. In both cases there will likely be feelings of uncertainty around personal finances.

As a coach I work with people like Robert and Anna in order to bring their emotions to the surface so as to help them answer questions such as: now that you no longer go to work; what do you want to replace from your worklife that really matters to you?

The ultimate aim is to help Robert and Anna to find meaning and purpose in life postwork. Most importantly it will be their meaning and purpose. That is the journey that clients undertake with their retirement coach.

Retirement: You won’t know what it is like until you get there.