Key Points:
- Retirement is personal to you, and may be different from what’s depicted in the media or in others’ lives
- There are four types of retirees: relaxer, grower, adventurer, and giver
- Knowing which type of retiree you are will help you plan your ideal retirement
Introduction
Retirement is deeply personal and what your parents, coworkers, friends, and others in retirement enjoy doing may not work for you.
Something you may find helpful in planning for retirement is knowing which type of retiree you are: a relaxer, grower, adventurer or giver.
As you read through each type, notice which one feels most like you, or which combinations fit best. Knowing your type can make planning for retirement far more intentional and fulfilling.
The Relaxer
Relaxers step into retirement with one primary goal: rest. After decades of structure and responsibility, they’re happy to embrace a slower pace where comfort and peace take center stage.
- How They Get Energy: Quiet time, routine comforts, and low-pressure social time.
- Preferred Activities: Reading, gardening, enjoying hobbies, spending unhurried time with family, casual travel, and anything that promotes peace.
- Ideal Schedule: Predictable days with ample open space
- Tips for Planning:
- Design a peaceful home environment that supports relaxation
- Create flexible routines to keep days satisfying but not overly structured
- Consider gentle wellness activities like yoga, walking groups, or meditation
The Grower
For Growers, retirement is the start of a brand-new chapter filled with learning, self-improvement, and personal evolution.
- How They Get Energy: Classes, books, workshops, discussions, and new intellectual challenges
- Preferred Activities: Taking courses, pursuing certifications, joining clubs, or diving into skills they never had time to build
Ideal Schedule: Some structure with dedicated blocks for learning and reflection - Tips for Planning:
- Budget for courses, materials, and learning experiences
- Create a personal development plan to guide growth
- Find local or online learning communities for camaraderie and accountability
The Adventurer
Adventurers see retirement as a wide-open frontier full of possibility. They’re energized by new experiences and opportunities to explore.
- How They Get Energy: Travel, exploration, new challenges, engaging with unfamiliar places and people
- Preferred Activities: Road trips, international travel, hiking, trying new hobbies, or taking fun part-time roles
- Ideal Schedule: Minimal routine with lots of flexibility and room for spur-of-the-moment adventures
- Tips for Planning:
- Create a travel or “big experiences” budget
- Keep health, safety, and insurance plans up to date
- Make a list of dream trips or bucket-list adventures and map out realistic timelines
The Giver
Givers find purpose and joy in contributing to others. Retirement opens the door to pouring their energy into causes, communities, and people who need their time and talents.
- How They Get Energy: Meaningful connection, acts of service, being part of something bigger
- Preferred Activities: Volunteering, mentoring, caregiving, working with nonprofits, and joining community organizations
- Ideal Schedule: Consistent commitments with space for rest to avoid burnout
- Tips for Planning:
- Identify causes that genuinely resonate with your values
- Set healthy boundaries so giving doesn’t become overwhelming
- Explore structured volunteer programs, part-time roles, or mentorship opportunities
Why does it matter?
Retirement is your opportunity to design a life you love. When planning, take into consideration your ideal lifestyle, where you get your sense of purpose and fulfillment, and where you get energy from.
This will allow you to create a lifestyle that supports your emotional and physical well-being, plan your finances in alignment with what truly excites you, and prioritize activities that fill your days with purpose and joy.
Need help planning? Reach out to a retirement coach to discuss your needs today.
