About
Based in research on retirement adjustment and wellbeing, Retirement Life Plan provides products and services for both individuals in the retirement transition, and professionals who are working with them—e.g., coaches, counselors, financial planners, and employers.
Retirement Life Plan developed out of the current focus on the importance of wellbeing at work—with the question, “what happens next?” While a great deal of energy is put into promoting meaningful and engaging work, it is often assumed that retirement will be a breeze.
Because work is often a very meaningful and rewarding part of life, retirement can present significant adjustments and challenges. We have researched the social and psychological adjustments that are specific to retirement, in order to provide more targeted support around this transition. Our mission is to provide resources that will help retirees to thrive with their new lifestyle, outside of work.
Social and psychological changes
We focus specifically on the social and psychological aspects of retirement, including identity adjustments, changes in social networks and relationships, and engagement in daily pursuits. We also collaborate with financial advisors and other professionals who specialize in other important aspects of retirement.
Who we are
Pauline Johnson-Zielonka, PhD
As the founder of Retirement Life Plan, and a fellow of the Institute for Social Innovation, Pauline provides training and resources for coaches and other professionals around retirement life planning. With a PhD in Human and Organizational Systems, and a background in Industrial Psychology, Pauline brings together knowledge and tools from fields of Positive Psychology, Social Psychology, and Industrial Psychology (psychology in the workplace) in her approach to understanding the retirement transition.
After completing her doctorate, Pauline conducted a comprehensive review of research on social-psychological adjustments and challenges in retirement. The findings of this research led to an in-depth understanding of experiences unique to the retirement transition, and programs designed to better prepare pre-retirees for common adjustments.
In addition to her work around the retirement transition, Pauline has over a decade of experience working closely with psychological assessments used for team-building, leadership development, and recruitment. She has experience and training with StyleView and CareerView Assessments, Hogan Personality Inventory, Hogan Development Inventory, and Motives, Values, Preferences Inventory, Lominger 360 Assessment, and Strengths Deployment Inventory.
Pauline earned her Bachelor's in Psychology from University of Nevada, Reno in 2006. She then spent one year studying and practicing hypnotherapy at the Hypnosis Motivation Institute in Tarzana, California before going on to earn her PhD in Human and Organizational Systems from Fielding Graduate University in 2012. Since 2016, she has continued her research and work as a Fellow of the Institute for Social Innovation.
Our UK Team
Anne Cannings
Anne has over 30 years’ experience in learning and coaching, specialising in designing and delivering tailored development solutions to groups and individuals. She ran her first retirement workshops back in the 1990s, and since 2017 has been working with Pauline Johnson-Zielonka to bring the research behind retirement wellbeing to a UK audience, for both coaches and retirees.
Anne works with individuals and organisations from a variety of sectors, including public bodies, manufacturing, scientific, engineering and IT companies, professional services consultancies, local authorities, retail, not-for-profit organisations, NHS Trusts, housing associations and police and fire services. She has also developed a variety of career transition materials which she uses as part of her client coaching.
Anne is qualified and registered to use a wide range of psychometric materials, including Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, FIRO-B, The Strength Deployment Inventory, and Belbin Team Roles. In addition to a BA(Hons) in Business Studies, Anne is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Personnel and Development and took her MSc in Organisational Behaviour with Birkbeck College London. Anne has developed and published work on Consulting Skills for Professional Services, and has contributed to a range of publications.
Nigel Pacey
Nigel has over 20 years’ management and leadership experience in social housing following an early career working with young people and refugees in the third sector’ As a former Housing and Operations Director, he is an experienced senior executive who has worked closely with other senior staff and Board members. His experience of running a customer facing department has given him a clear understanding of the challenges facing organisations and teams. He has taken a leading role in managing change through mergers and major restructuring exercises. Nigel began working as a trainer, coach and consultant with Housing Associations, Local Authorities and Third Sector organisations 10 years ago after ‘retiring’ for social housing. He holds a diploma in Personal Performance Coaching, a Business Diploma in Neurolinguistic
Programming and is a certified coach with Retirement Life Plan. He is also accredited in both Strengthscope and DISC profiling.
Who is it for?
Retirees and pre-retirees
With the prospect of retirement fast-approaching, many people begin to question whether they really want to retire—is it right for you? Will you regret it? And how will you spend your time in meaningful ways?
Employers
Employers wishing to build their employer brand, retain valuable knowledge, and maintain access to a flexible workforce may want to show compassion and provide support for retiring employees.
Life and executive coaches
Experienced coaches may want to develop more specialized knowledge with this life transition. With aging populations around the world, coaches are finding many new and existing clients facing this new chapter.
Financial planners and other professionals
Other professionals working with clients in the retirement transition may wish to further support and build their client relationships.
