Perspectives on Navigating the Psychological Transition to Retirement
The decision to retire is a complex one for many faculty members. The transition can raise profound questions about meaning, purpose and identity in addition to more tangible financial and logistical considerations.
To better meet the needs of faculty approaching retirement and those moving to emeriti status, the Office for Faculty Advancement has launched a dedicated series of workshops focusing on late-career faculty transitions. In addition, the office is developing programs to engage faculty who have already retired and want to stay connected to Duke.
At a workshop led by Assistant Vice Provost Maria Wisdom, three speakers and 60 participants discussed the psychological and emotional aspects of the retirement process, as well as some resources available at Duke for faculty navigating the change. Here are brief excerpts from the speakers.
Consider a Phased Retirement Process
What I discussed [with my dean] was something called phased retirement. The first stage was to give up that [no longer satisfying] administrative job and be 100% full-time faculty. The second stage is a 50% workload, and then the third stage is to become an emeritus faculty member. I am really happy with the decision, but I do still struggle a little bit with my future identity. I’m still figuring that part out. –Linda Franzoni, Professor of the Practice of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science
Focus on the Question of Meaning
I went into coaching with a very goal-oriented approach. … My initial imagination was that by the end, I would be all set to start thinking about retiring because I’d have all the pieces in place. … But we refocused on the question of meaning, and the goal became more like, how can I understand better what gives meaning to me now and what might give me a meaningful life in retirement? I came to understand that there are things missing in my life as a faculty member that were pretty fixable even without retirement, and then there were some things that I think would be important for meaning in my life that retirement would really help with. –Simon Partner, Professor of History
Expect to Work Through a Range of Emotions
In terms of common emotional reactions to be aware of as you’re contemplating this transition, there’s oftentimes relief and excitement in that you get a lot more freedom from deadlines, meetings, institutional pressures. Along with that, you might be experiencing a loss of identity, and that’s where people might have difficulty adjusting to a new life when work is really the core of how you define yourself. There’s anxiety or uncertainty, and that can come about with any change. There’s grief tied to leaving colleagues and routines and certain roles, specifically when they offered meaning to your life, and then also pride and accomplishment. It’s a whole spectrum of emotions. … PAS offers short-term counseling. You get a lifetime benefit as a Duke retiree. –Caryn Christiano, Senior Counselor, Duke Personal Assistance Service
Related Resources
- Upcoming workshop: Staying Engaged With and Beyond Duke Post-Retirement (March 23)
- Summer faculty group coaching interest form (retirement and/or transition to emeriti focus)
- HR: Retirement Nuts & Bolts FAQs
- How Professors Are Crafting Their Identities as Emeriti Faculty
Main image: Linda Franzoni, Simon Partner and Caryn Christiano