Dr Denise Taylor

Retirement regrets rarely centre on finances, with many older adults instead wishing they had prioritised health earlier, prepared emotionally for the loss of work identity or communicated better with partners about post‑work expectations. Conversations with retirees highlight that the most satisfying retirements stem from deliberate decisions based on personal needs rather than social expectations. Common themes include maintaining mobility for independence, building identity beyond a job title and aligning relationship expectations before leaving work. Despite past regrets, many people continue to reinvent themselves later in life, reinforcing that it is never too late to make meaningful changes.