From shock to clarity: Brian’s story of navigating retirement transition on his own terms
Brian's story of dealing with an unexpected retirement transition and his path in navigating all the choices he had in front of him.
In this post I share Brian's story of dealing with an unexpected retirement transition and his path in navigating all the choices he had in front of him. It is from is from Phronetiq´s recent Newsletter, and Brian (not his real name) was part of our pilot program Thrive in Transition.
After more than 30 years at a global multinational, Brian never expected to be laid off—especially not five years before his planned retirement. The news came as a shock, but at first, he felt a sense of relief. More time, more freedom.
That didn’t last long.
“At first, you’re excited about the newfound freedom,” Brian told us. “But then you realize—you still have energy, ideas, things to give. You want to contribute and feel useful. But what now? There’s so much out there, so many options. How do I navigate all this choice and figure out what’s really right for me?”
Looking for direction, Brian joined Phronetiq’s Thrive in Transition program. What he found was a structured space to pause, reflect, and plan for a future on his own terms.
Here’s what helped Brian reshape his journey:
Context & mindset: He redefined what retirement means today, recognizing that many people like him are seeking purpose, not just rest.
Identity & values: Through structured exercises, he gained clarity on who he is, what matters most to him, and how to align his next steps with his deeper values.
Mindfulness & harmony: We introduced tools to approach this major life change with calmness and curiosity, identifying what brought him joy and also acknowledging the difference in his capabilities and priorities.
Decision science: Brian learned how to evaluate the wealth of opportunities ahead of him using evidence-based approaches, cutting through the noise.
Confidence & action: By the end of the program, Brian had a clear, personalised plan—one that energised him and felt right. He’d already taken his first steps toward making it real.
But that wasn’t all.
Brian also made room for something deeply personal: a long-standing desire to make a difference in men’s health. He developed a plan to grow a charity initiative focused on raising awareness and funds for prostate cancer—a cause close to his heart.
In his own words:
“I now know what I want and how to get there. The program helped me move from vague hopes to real momentum.”
He graduated with energy, motivation, and forward motion. Not only did Brian give us a 9.2 average Net Promoter Score, but his measured confidence, well-being, and sense of direction also improved significantly.
If you would like to join Thrive in Transition, then you are in luck:
WE ARE CURRENTLY RECRUITING 2 COHORTS TO LAUNCH IN MAY.
SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTER AND GET 20% OFF.
You can also start by joining one of our upcoming FREE Webinars on Thursdays or Fridays in May: 5 steps to prepare for retirement without feeling overwhelmed.
At the webinar you will learn how to:
• Navigate today’s retirement landscape and your many options
• Clarify what purpose means to you beyond work
• Evaluate decisions with a science-backed toolkit
• Build a clear and motivating transition plan
You will receive our free decision-making worksheet to guide your next steps.
Click on the link below to register for one of the available dates in May
Why this matters for companies
In today’s unpredictable world, layoffs are often the result of broader market shifts. But when long-serving employees are let go in the final stretch of their careers, the personal impact is immense. Many are left adrift—unprepared for a sudden end and unsure how to plan for what’s next.
And companies feel it too. Uncertainty spreads when exits aren’t managed well. Valuable knowledge walks out the door without continuity. Employees left behind begin to question their own future.
That’s why structured retirement transition support—like Thrive in Transition—isn’t just a personal development tool. It’s a business imperative.
Please reach out if you think your company would be interested in offering these programs for their employees getting close to retirement.