ContentsCoverTitlepageIntroductionPrefacePART I: Thinking About RetirementChapter 1: IntroductionWhat makes us happy?Attitudes towards agingThe characteristics of happinessCharacter, happiness, planning, and retirementHow to use this book if you are already retiredChapter 2: When, Where, WhatLongevity is our futureWhen should I retire?Retirement is not for everyoneWho are you?How do you use your free time?When to start your planning for life in retirementWhere to live in retirementChapter 3: Issues in PlanningWhy plan your retirement life?Planning and spontaneityPlanning and emotionPlanning as a couplePART II: Working on Retirement (Exercises)Chapter 4: Where Have You Been?Looking back before looking forwardHow to do these exercisesExercise #1 Life ReviewExercise #2Exercise #3Exercise #4Exercise #5Exercise #6Exercise #7Exercise #8Exercise #9Chapter 5: The Transition into Retirement1. How anxious do you think you will be when retirement happens?2. What do you think your anxiety is about?3. How difficult do you think it will be to ""let go"" of your workplace?4. What in particular might be hard to let go of, and is there any way to build this thinginto your retirement?5. What work issues will you be escaping from or trying to avoid in the future?6. What does retirement mean to you now, in this context, as you think about it?7. Did you see close family members retire and how did they do it?8. To what extent were you in charge of your own schedule in your workplace?9. On balance, would you say that retirement for you is more about ""getting away"" fromsomething or more about ""moving towards"" something?10. To what extent would you say that your work is central to your identity?11. What is the experience of aging like for you? How well do you think you will age?12. What do you know about your own coping skills as you deal with change?ConclusionChapter 6: General Issues for a Happy Retired LifeAn attitude of gratitudeMoney does count in the happiness equation, but 1. What are you doing to maintain good physical health for the coming years?2. What are you doing to maintain good psychological health?3. What are you doing to improve or maintain relationships with family and friends?4. What do you think about the purpose of life, and how you will pursue yours?5. What are your thoughts about and how are you preparing for really old age?Chapter 7: Where Are You Going?Exercise #1 What, from the past, do you want to build into your future life?Exercise #2 Your vision statement for your futureExercise #3 Imagining your time line for the futureExercise #4 Brainstorming ideas for future activities and setting prioritiesExercise #5 Bringing together your plans as a coupleExercise #6 Developing your own timelinesExercise #7 Make it happenExercise #8 Go do it! And enjoy.Chapter 8: The Forms KitAbout the AuthorsNotice to Readers
