Executives in their 50s and 60s often find themselves at a pivotal moment. After years of navigating high-pressure roles, the next chapter isn’t always about another rung on the ladder. It’s about choice, purpose, and balance. The real question becomes: what’s next on my terms?
Recent data underscores that the desire to continue working well past the typical retirement age is more widespread than most assume. According to T. Rowe Price’s Retirement Saving & Spending Study, more than half of retirees say they intend to keep working in some capacity.
Even among those who have already stepped away, nearly 20% are still working either full-time or part-time, and another 7% are actively looking for work.
For many, work in retirement isn’t just about income, but also about identity, connection, and purpose.
This growing trend raises an important point: it’s not enough to assume retirement will naturally fall into place. For executives accustomed to driving strategies and leading teams, the encore chapter deserves the same level of foresight and planning. Without intentional choices, it’s easy to drift into work that fills time but doesn’t fulfill purpose. That’s why taking deliberate steps now can ensure the next phase is both meaningful and sustainable.
Start With Intention
The most successful transitions rarely happen by chance. They begin with intention. Before external pressures or quick decisions dictate the path forward, take time to pause, reflect, and define what matters most. A thoughtful transition starts with clarity about the life and legacy you want to build next.
Envision What Matters Most
Leaders nearing retirement often find themselves pulled in many directions, some energizing while others are draining. The key is to distinguish between the two. Reflect on what truly fulfills you, where your energy is best invested, and how future commitments can align with your core values and long-term goals.
Craft the Plan
An encore chapter isn’t one-size-fits-all. For some, it blends consulting or board service with time for family and travel. For others, it may include teaching, speaking, community work, or entirely new pursuits. Whatever the mix, the goal is balance: designing a chapter that honors both your professional strengths and your lifestyle priorities.
Build the Narrative
Even the most seasoned executives benefit from reshaping how they tell their story. As your goals shift, so should the way you present yourself. A clear, compelling narrative (reflected across your résumé, bio, and digital presence) signals not just who you’ve been, but where you’re headed.
Move From Vision to Action
Clarity alone isn’t enough; it has to translate into movement. That means activating your network, pursuing new opportunities, and putting structure behind your vision. Executives who take deliberate steps forward are far more likely to step confidently into their next phase, rather than drifting into it.
Why It Matters Now
With decades of experience advising more than 2,500 executives, we’ve seen the difference between reactionary career moves and intentional ones. Encore Planning gives leaders time, insight, and a trusted partner to ensure their choices align with both professional aspirations and personal fulfillment.
Remember, an encore isn’t retirement. It’s a reinvention. An opportunity to reroute, repurpose, and deepen impact. For leaders who want more than just “what’s next,” Encore Planning offers the rare combination of reflection, strategy, and expert guidance to step boldly into a future defined by choice.
If you’re starting to think about what comes after corporate leadership, now is the time to explore your options. Connect with our team to begin mapping your encore strategy, or hear firsthand from leaders who have designed purposeful next chapters of their own.
