Discovering What’s Next

Transitioning  to the encore stage of life can be confusing. We’re still heavily influenced by the cultural notion of a well-deserved retirement filled with leisure. But the reality is drastically different. Many of us will have 30 or more years of additional life after we reach our traditional retirement age. That’s a long vacation! Can we afford it? Without continued purpose and connection, can we survive it? 

More and more people are concluding that they need and want to continue contributing to their communities, society and the economy. But what are the options? The following resources created by members of The Encore Network will help you find the answers.

BOOKS

The Encore Career Handbook   Marci Alboher, Vice President of CoGenerate and former careers columnist for The New York Times, has written a comprehensive, nuts-and-bolts guide for how to make a living and a difference in the second half of life.

Project Renewment   Written by Helen Dennis and Bernice Bratter, this book is the first retirement model for career women. It is structured for group discussion with a series of essays and discussion questions. It also suggests how to form a discussion group.

Your Encore Life   This book offers tools to help you write the script for your next act. Author Lynette Reiling asks questions, offers reflections, and provides exercises to determine what is possible at this stage of your life.

The Couple’s Retirement Puzzle   Co-written by Dorian Mintzer and Roberta Taylor, this book suggests 10 key converstaions couples should have about retirmenet to ensure a rewarding second half of life together.

The ElderGarten   Described as a field guide for the journey of a lifetime by its author, Sally Z. Hare, this book is a fascinating mix of personal memoir, poetry, ideas and insights. It includes the practices that she has developed to improve her own resilience.

PODCASTS

Revolutionize Your Retirement   This podcast is hosted by Dorian Mintzer, an author and retirement coach. She interviews a wide variety of writers and thought leaders about various topics related to retirement.

ONLINE COMMUNITIES

Hively   This is a membership network that allows you to make meaningful connections, learn from peers and experts, and gain access to a wealth of resources, exclusive offers, and services recommended by other Hively members.

COURSES

The Future of You   Helps people over 50 navigate the transition to retirement by using a Four Step method. The program provides the tools to design a fulfilling, purposeful and meaningful new life phase.

PSS Life! University   Offers a variety of courses geared to the learning interests of people over 50. Check out their catalog for courses related to transition planning and retirement options.

VIRTUAL & IN-PERSON GROUPS

Encore Connecticut   Based at the School for Public Policy at UConn, this program helps seasoned corporate and public sector professionals transition their experience to opportunities, both paid and volunteer, in the nonprofit sector.

Encore Palm Beach County   Provides people over 50 an opportunity to connect with age-inclusive employers and find volunteer opportunities at community nonprofits. Sponsors an annual Wisdom & Experience Work for Business Awards Event.

Indy Encore   Provides people over 50 with the resources, connections and pathways to explore and activate meaningful opportunities to make a difference through work or volunteering. Based in Indianapolis, Indiana.

NM New Elder World   Part of CNM Ingenuity, this community college-based group in Albuquerque, NM connects businesses, nonprofits, and civic organizations with people over 50, offfering guidance for their next endeavors.