Research
Retirement and life after 50, by the numbers
Last updated: November 2, 2026
The published research is clear that retirement is an emotional transition as much as a financial one: one meta-analysis found 28% of retirees experience depression.
Rarified Life collected the statistics below from published studies, surveys and industry reports to show why the non-financial side of retirement deserves real planning. Each figure is quoted with its source, conditions and dates as published. None of these figures are Rarified Life's own data.
What do the statistics say about retirement?
Three patterns stand out. Many retirees struggle emotionally in the first years. Many workers feel unprepared. And demand for coaches who address identity and purpose, not just money, is rising. That combination is why Rarified Life built Preferment around identity and purpose.
Wellbeing after retirement
The emotional side of retiring is measurable, and significant.
28%
of retirees experience depression, with a 40% spike in self-reported depression during the first years after retiring, according to a meta-analysis (PMC, 2020/2022).
Source: Life Coaching Certification, Retirement Coaching: An Emerging Niche for 2026
76%
of workers report burnout.
Source: Life Coaching Certification, Retirement Coaching: An Emerging Niche for 2026
90%+
of older adults prefer living at home to an assisted living facility later in life.
Source: Choice Mutual, Aging in Place: Statistics + How to Prepare in 2026
Retirement readiness
Confidence and preparation lag behind what most people need.
14%
of Americans were confident in their ability to retire comfortably, and only 38% of private workers participated in employer-sponsored defined contribution plans, per EBRI data cited in 2014 (Helman, Copeland, and VanDerhei 2012).
Source: Financial Planning Association, A Comparison of Retirement Strategies and Financial Planner Value
$16,600
in additional retirement savings was associated with a 10% increase in the likelihood of calculating retirement income need, among university employees over 40 (Mayer, Zick, and Marsden 2011).
Source: Financial Planning Association, A Comparison of Retirement Strategies and Financial Planner Value
34% vs 25%
of caregivers had less than $10,000 in savings and investments, compared with 25% of non-caregivers.
Source: EBRI, Caregivers and Retirement: Findings From the 2026 Retirement Confidence Survey
The coaching field
Coaching, and retirement coaching in particular, is growing.
$5.34B
in global coaching industry revenue in 2025, based on ICF data, with a projection of $5.8 billion in 2026 and $9.5 billion by 2032.
Source: Luisa Zhou, The Ultimate List of Life Coaching Statistics (2026 Update)
30%
uptick in retirement coaching demand as baby boomers retire, with coaches addressing identity, purpose and relationships, not just money.
Source: Life Coaching Certification, Retirement Coaching: An Emerging Niche for 2026
41% vs 29%
of clients turn to coaching for career advancement, while 29% come for personal relationship improvements.
Source: Gitnux, Life Coaching Statistics
What these numbers mean for you
Statistics describe groups, not individuals. If you are planning life after 50, the practical takeaway is to plan both sides: work with a fiduciary financial adviser on the money, and give the same attention to identity, purpose and daily structure. Read what a retirement coach does or finding purpose in life after 50.
Common questions
- Is it normal to feel depressed after retiring?
- It is common. A meta-analysis cited by Life Coaching Certification found 28% of retirees experience depression, with a 40% spike in self-reported depression in the first years after retiring. If you feel persistently low, talk to your doctor or a licensed mental health professional. Coaching is not a substitute for that care. More in the FAQ
- Is a retirement coach worth the money?
- It depends on what is missing. If your finances are in order but you feel no direction, a coach targets exactly that gap. Published research cited by Life Coaching Certification found 28% of retirees experience depression, with a reported 40% spike in self-reported depression in the first years after retiring, which shows the non-financial side carries real weight. More in the FAQ
- Who could benefit from a retirement coach?
- People who feel adrift after leaving work, whose identity was wrapped up in their job, or who have their money planned but not their days tend to benefit most. Life Coaching Certification reports a 30% uptick in retirement coaching demand as baby boomers retire, with coaches addressing identity, purpose and relationships. More in the FAQ
- When should I start planning for life after retirement?
- Earlier is easier. Rarified Life encourages starting years before your last day at work, so the transition is a launch rather than a sudden stop. The free presentation is framed around building a real answer to "So, what do you do?" in 8 weeks, even if retirement is still years away. More in the FAQ
- Retirement coach vs financial advisor: what is the difference?
- A financial advisor plans your money; a retirement coach plans your life. Rarified Life argues that meeting with a financial planner alone is a poor way to prepare for the rest of your life, because it leaves identity, purpose and daily structure unaddressed. Most people benefit from both. More in the FAQ