The role of coaching across the retirement transition: A descriptive phenomenological study

By 2037, a quarter of the UK population will be aged over-65 (Office for National Statistics, 2018). Improvements in life expectancy are enabling more of us to reach retirement age and to have more years in retirement. The transition to retirement is complex and impacts many aspects of our lives - family, relationships, finances, health and social circumstances (Palmer and Panchal, 2011). There is evidence to suggest 30% of retirees find the transition to retirement difficult and experience a downturn in well-being (Bosse et al, 1991). Research into retirement transition interventions is minimal so this study begins with a literature review that examines the theoretical and empirical support for transition coaching as a viable intervention for the retirement transition. For this first UK study into retirement coaching, six retired participants were telephone interviewed and retrospectively recalled their coaching experiences. Each interview was analysed using Giorgi’s descriptive phenomenological approach to produce a general essence articulating a typical transition experience. Six key themes emerged as important. Three pre-retirement themes (planning, decision-making and unexpected events) had a limited, mainly practical role for coaching. Post-retirement however, coaching was described as pivotal. Each of the three themes (redressing the balance, identity and aging) required deeper psychological support to identify core values, manage identity loss and discuss existential fears about aging. Participants valued core coaching principles like a safe space, trusted relationship, reflection, support and challenge. Interestingly, at least two coaches were used per retiree to address their transition needs perhaps inferring a requirement for greater versatility amongst coaches