By the numbers
Retirement transition by the numbers
A meta-analysis cited by lifecoachingcertification.net found 28% of retirees experience depression, with a 40% spike in self-reported depression in the first years after retiring.
Last updated: November 2026
How common is struggling after retirement?
Struggling after retirement is common: published research puts depression among retirees at 28%, with a sharp rise in the first years. Rarified Life gathers these outside figures here because they explain why its Preferment course focuses on identity and purpose, not only money.
Every number on this page comes from an outside publication, linked below. None of them are Rarified Life’s own data, and none measure the results of Preferment.
Key retirement statistics, with sources
28%
of retirees experience depression, according to a meta-analysis (PMC, 2020/2022), with a 40% spike in self-reported depression during the first years after retiring.
Source: lifecoachingcertification.net30%
uptick in retirement coaching demand as baby boomers retire, with coaches addressing identity, purpose, and relationships, not just money.
Source: lifecoachingcertification.net80%
of Americans say the nation faces a retirement crisis, up from 67% in 2020.
Source: NIRS, Retirement Insecurity 202661%
of Americans are concerned they will not achieve financial security in retirement.
Source: NIRS, Retirement Insecurity 202636% vs 45%
of caregivers vs non-caregivers said their health status is excellent or very good.
Source: EBRI, 2026 Retirement Confidence SurveyNearly 70%
of survey respondents have delayed a major financial goal.
Source: Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Retirement Survey 2026
How big is the coaching market?
The 2025 ICF Global Coaching Study, conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers, reported that the global coaching industry hit $5.34 billion in revenue, nearly double the $2.85 billion in 2023, as reported by lifecoachingcertification.net. The same source reports retirement coaches typically charge $150 to $300 per session.
| Measure | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Global coaching revenue | $5.34 billion (2025 study) vs $2.85 billion (2023) | ICF via lifecoachingcertification.net |
| Typical retirement coaching rate | $150 to $300 per session | lifecoachingcertification.net |
| Want retirement security prioritized | 85%, up from 76% in 2020 | NIRS, 2026 |
| Took on work outside primary job | More than 60%, mostly out of necessity | Goldman Sachs Asset Management, 2026 |
| Worked after retirement | 10% of study participants | PMC9434457 |
What these numbers mean for your transition
Money worries are widespread, which is why financial planning matters. But the depression figures point to a second gap: the loss of identity, structure, and connection. That is the gap life coaching for retirement is meant to fill, and the reason Preferment exists. Read more about retirement transition coaching.
Common questions
- Why is the first year of retirement so hard?
- Many people lose structure, identity, and daily connection at once. A meta-analysis cited by lifecoachingcertification.net found a 40% spike in self-reported depression during the first years after retiring. Rarified Life’s presentation also describes capable women who stop answering the phone around eight months into retirement.
- Is retirement coaching the same as therapy?
- No. Retirement coaching is forward-looking planning and accountability around identity, purpose, and routine; it is not mental health treatment. A meta-analysis cited by lifecoachingcertification.net found 28% of retirees experience depression. If you are dealing with depression or another health concern, speak with a licensed clinician. Coaching can sit alongside that care but does not replace it.
- What does a retirement coach do?
- A retirement coach helps you plan the non-financial side of retiring: who you are without the job title, what you want your days to hold, and how to build routines around that. According to lifecoachingcertification.net, retirement coaches typically charge $150 to $300 per session. Rarified Life currently delivers its coaching through the Preferment course, with 1:1 coaching listed as coming soon.
- How does the Preferment price compare with 1:1 retirement coaching?
- At the stated $3,000, Preferment works out to $375 per live session, with the book included. Lifecoachingcertification.net reports retirement coaches typically charge $150 to $300 per session, so eight 1:1 sessions would typically total $1,200 to $2,400. Preferment costs more per session but includes a fixed curriculum, the book, and built-in homework.
- Retirement coach vs financial advisor: what is the difference?
- A financial advisor plans your money; a retirement coach helps you plan your life, including identity, purpose, and daily structure. Rarified Life’s presentation argues that meeting with a financial planner alone is not enough preparation for the rest of your life. Most people benefit from both, because the questions are different.
Start with the free presentation
Watch Rarified Life’s free presentation for accomplished women in their 50s and 60s. If it resonates, the 8-week Preferment course is the next step.