I rushed into the dining room, scanning the sea of neatly arranged place cards, finally spotting mine just in time. My flight had been delayed, and I’d barely made it to this exclusive CEO dinner—an invitation-only event where being late wasn’t an option. Relieved, I settled into my seat just as the program was about to begin.
Before I could catch my breath, the legendary CEO seated next to me leaned in and, with a hushed urgency, said, “They’re trying to push me out.” It was an odd greeting, to say the least. But I knew this man well—he was more than just another industry giant—he was a longtime client. There was a familiarity in his voice, like he trusted me with this secret, even if it felt too heavy for a dinner conversation.
“Excuse me?” I asked, trying to keep my tone steady while still orienting myself. “Who’s trying to push you out?”
His eyes darted around the room. “They didn’t want me here tonight. They don’t want me as CEO anymore. They say I’m too old. They want me gone, but I’m not ready to go.”
Suddenly, I realized I wouldn’t be doing much networking that night and shifted my focus to consoling a CEO about the uncomfortable reality of forced retirement.
Are You Ready to Retire?
While many professionals target 65 to 67 as their ideal retirement age, Gallup surveys show that people often retire sooner, with the average retirement age around 61. This early exit isn’t always a matter of choice—factors like health issues, job market shifts or caregiving responsibilities can push professionals to retire ahead of schedule.
Retirement satisfaction varies significantly and depends on factors such as financial readiness, health, social ties and personal fulfillment. While those with a solid financial plan often report higher satisfaction, equating retirement success solely with monetary security can be misleading. For leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals who thrive on daily impact and accomplishment, financial readiness alone isn’t enough. A retirement that lacks purpose and connection can lead to feelings of emptiness and even depression, as many leaders miss the sense of being needed and productive—key elements that contribute to true post-career fulfillment.
Permanent Vacation Intimidates Me
Many professionals daydream about their retirement years, but once that magic day of “freedom” arrives, it’s not the dream they expected. In fact, life starts to get boring quickly. For many professionals who have found purpose through their work, the downshift to hammocks, traveling and piña coladas is only truly enjoyable for a few months.
As a small-business owner and publicist, the nature of my work makes taking a true vacation feel like a luxury I’ve never fully experienced. Unlike friends who work for companies offering paid time off, I can’t fully disconnect from work. Even when I travel, I’m never completely off the clock. If I’m unavailable, there’s no one else who can step in, making it difficult to fully step away. I sometimes envy those who can turn off their email for a week or more, knowing they’ll still be paid and will have a job when they return. Since starting my agency, Pitch Publicity, at the age of 27, I’ve always been on call, even while I was on safari in Tanzania or hiking on a glacier in Patagonia.
With no real practice at taking a break, the concept of retirement feels more puzzling than inviting. Recently, I’ve made efforts to create clearer boundaries—avoiding scheduling client media interviews and giving my team time off during my vacations—to experience what truly unplugged time might be like. While these changes have provided a small taste of what retirement could offer, they’ve also made me aware of a daunting reality: a life without daily purpose or structure feels unnervingly empty. For someone who’s always been “on,” retirement’s openness is both fascinating and intimidating.
Last summer, I joined friends on a trip to Crete for a week—a rare chance to unplug, especially since it coincided with my birthday. Determined to fully disconnect, I managed to clear most of my schedule, jumping on my laptop only a few times to stay ahead of the inevitable workload awaiting me. But by day four, despite the stunning blue seas and Mediterranean history, I felt a creeping boredom. Surrounded by paradise, I missed the sense of purpose work provides—realizing how essential it is to feel fulfilled, even while on vacation.
Redefining Retirement to “Re-hirement”
I’ve always been a planner who values structure and purpose, mapping out where I want to be five years, three years, even a few months from now. But life doesn’t always play by those rules. At age 39, I faced a brutal turning point: a divorce that nearly cost me everything I’d built since graduating college—my home, savings and my business. Coming out of it with little but a laptop, dog and the company I built, I learned that financial security, while crucial, doesn’t guarantee stability or satisfaction.
Rebuilding over the past decade, I’ve surpassed even my original financial goals, proving resilience beyond what I’d imagined. Yet, I know that “crushing it” at work might not be sustainable forever. While the idea of endless vacations holds little appeal, the need for purpose and direction has only grown. With this in mind, I’m now charting a “re-hirement” plan—a gradual downshift that will allow me to stay engaged and impactful without the relentless pace.
My goal is to create a fulfilling retirement life that maintains the sense of purpose I find in my work while allowing me the flexibility to pursue new professional passions. I’m aiming for a seamless transition rather than a sudden halt to my career.
Retire With Purpose
Financial planners excel at preparing you for a financially secure retirement, but who guides you toward a fulfilling one? As human beings, we are inherently driven to work, a place where we develop meaningful relationships and also find joy in achieving our goals. While the idea of spending your final decades lounging in a hammock on the beach may seem enticing, it could lead to a significant drop in your overall satisfaction. This makes planning for a “re-hirement” essential to ensure a fulfilling and engaged retirement. Here are some strategies to get started:
• Conduct an Energy Audit: To truly understand what brings you fulfillment, keep an energy audit of your daily tasks for one month. I used the notepad on my smartphone to track what energized me and what drained me. As I moved through my days, I rated each task from -2 (draining) to +2 (energizing). Through this process, I discovered my passion for writing, presenting and consulting. These insights will shape my re-hirement plan, allowing me to focus on activities that bring me joy while letting go of the draining ones.
• Dream and Plan: After your energy audit, take time to brainstorm goals that will channel your newfound passions. For instance, I learned that writing brings me joy, so I’ve started drafting my first book. There’s no rush to publish; in fact, I’m ahead of schedule, giving myself ample time to explore this creative outlet before retirement. This journey of becoming an author is enhancing my current writing skills and positioning me as an authority who can speak with credibility and purpose. By pinpointing the energizing tasks in your current job, you can start transforming those passions into a dream that you can plan and explore now, allowing for a smooth transition into your retirement. For me, this means evolving from a publicist sharing others’ stories to an author telling my own.
• Test and Transition: Finally, plan and prepare for your next act with the same diligence you apply to saving for your 401(k). Abrupt transitions can be challenging; for instance, how do you shift from running a company to consulting? I used to view this as a step backward. To change my perspective, a few years ago, I created an Advisor page on my website, www.PitchPublicityNYC.com, offering communication consultations. Setting up that page was a significant step for me, especially since I hesitated to charge for advice. However, I realized I was turning away start-ups and entrepreneurs who couldn’t afford my agency’s rates. By providing affordable consulting packages, I’ve generated increasing revenue over the past five years, proving that I could eventually sustain myself on this income. Surprisingly, I enjoyed it more than I anticipated. Testing this “re-hirement” service while still in my career allows me to gauge its viability without the pressure of a tight financial situation. This way, I can build confidence in what will work for my “re-hirement” years while still having a stable income.
Avoid Zoochosis
As you navigate your financial future, remember that while market fluctuations can create uncertainty, taking control of your mental well-being is in your control. By prioritizing your passions, you can craft a fulfilling “re-hirement” that not only enriches your life, but also serves as a safety net if your financial plans falter.
Preparing for a purposeful “re-hirement” will combat boredom and sharpen your mind, both essential for a long, healthy life. It’s about avoiding the trap of stagnation—akin to zoochosis in captive animals, where repetitive, purposeless behaviors emerge. Don’t let your retirement become a cycle of aimlessness. Instead, build a meaningful, engaging life that reflects your current and future aspirations.
Fortunately for my legendary CEO client, who felt displaced after dedicating 45 years to building a thriving empire, a new chapter unfolded. His daughter, the incoming CEO he had nurtured for years, recognized the immense value of her father’s wisdom. Instead of sidelining him, she crafted a vital role for him as chairman, allowing him to influence strategy without getting bogged down in daily operations.
This arrangement reignited his joy. The daughter carefully curated opportunities for her father to engage in the activities he loved most, such as attending conferences and inspiring others as a role model. I ran into him at a conference a year later, and although his daughter took the CEO’s seat at the dinner, he radiated happiness instead of fear. Now well into his 80s, he was no longer burdened by conspiracy theories of losing his legacy. He spoke with renewed enthusiasm about this stage of his career. It was clear that, with his daughter’s support, he had rediscovered his purpose and reignited his passion during his “re-hirement” years. He embodied the very essence of a fulfilled life, proving that a meaningful existence can far surpass anything a traditional retirement plan has to offer. NIE
Amy Summers, founder and president of Pitch Publicity, has three decades of experience working with major clients in the natural products industry to increase national publicity exposure across all mass media outlets, while also developing key strategic communication strategies. As a pioneer in remote work and virtual mentorship, she launched INICIVOX to help individuals improve a wide-range of soft skills centered on the complexity of communications. Her influential career has garnered her recognition as a PR News Top Women Awards Honoree in the Business Entrepreneurs category, acknowledging her unwavering dedication to the public relations profession. Headquartered in New York, NY, Summers is committed to supporting and nurturing the growth of the natural products industry that has served her well throughout her career. Learn more at www.pitchpublicitynyc.com and www.INICIVOX.com. Ready for more communication and pitching tips? Subscribe to “Pitch Live with Amy Summers” podcast on YouTube, or wherever you consume podcasts, for direct access to the secrets, strategies, and success stories that prove the power of “The Pitch” www.pitchpublicitynyc.com/podcast.
