Researchers have identified the following five main stages in the transition to retirement:

1)  The Pre-Retirement planning stage.

2)  The Honeymoon Phase.

3)  The Stress/ Disenchantment Phase.

4)  Adjusting to the new lifestyle.

5)  Settling down.

The Pre-Retirement planning stage.

At this stage workers know that retirement is coming,

and do everything they can to save for it, but often give little thought to what they will actually do once they do retire.

The current demands that are placed upon them leave them little time to ponder this issue.

The Honeymoon Phase.

 “I am finally free!” This is the feeling that often characterizes this stage.

A sort of initial euphoria where the retiree feels relief from the tedium or conflicts of the workplace and especially so for those whose work experience was largely negative.

During this period retirees get to do all the things that they wanted to do once they stopped working, such as travel, indulge in hobbies, visit relatives and so forth.

This phase has no set time frame and will vary depending upon how much activity the retiree has planned.

The Stress/ Disenchantment Phase.

Once the “honeymoon” is over, retirees experience something similar to what newlyweds experience when the emotional high of the wedding has worn off and the couple now has to get

down to the business of building a working relationship together.

Retirees are now faced with the realities of retirement, which may include boredom, feelings of uselessness and disillusionment.

They experience a sort of disenchantment coupled by stress of how to deal with this new reality.

Adjusting to the new lifestyle.

 This is perhaps the most difficult stage.Retirees begin to face personal questions such as "Who am I, now?", "What is my purpose at this point?" and "Am I still useful in some capacity?"

This is where many get stuck and if unable to find satisfying answers to these questions are not able to get a sense of closure from their working days.

• Settling down.

Click here to download full presentation by :PROF.DAVID M. NDETEI, Professor of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi (UoN)