Nan Ives and Lisa Stornaielo explain “Retirement Syndrome,” the unsettling emotions many retirees feel after leaving work, and reassure listeners that these feelings are normal.
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In this episode of Retirement Unfiltered, Nan Ives and Lisa Stornaielo name something many retirees feel but rarely talk about: Retirement Syndrome. After the excitement of leaving work fades, a surprising mix of emotions can surface – anxiety, restlessness, sadness, or a quiet sense of emptiness. This conversation explores why that happens, how common it really is, and why feeling unsettled in retirement means you are human.
Nan and Lisa explain that Retirement Syndrome is a very real pattern that shows up when work identity, daily structure, and built-in community disappear all at once. Drawing from research, stories they hear in their work, and their own lived experience, they unpack why retirement often ranks as one of the most stressful life transitions –right alongside events like moving or divorce. They also address the guilt many retirees feel for struggling during a phase of life they were told should benothing but joyful.
The episode offers a clear, compassionate framework for understanding what is happening beneath the surface and why “staying busy” is not the same as building a fulfilling life. Most importantly, it reassures listeners that Retirement Syndrome is a normal part of transition– and that with intention, connection, and patience, it is something you can move through.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
Nan Ives and Lisa Stornaielo are co-founders of The Future of You and former leaders at Fidelity Investments. Through their work, research, and personal retirement journeys, they help experienced professionals design a more intentional and fulfilling life after work.
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