Frequently Asked Questions

Retirement Life Coach Certification

How does this certification differ from other retirement coaching courses?

Our programs are grounded in social-psychological research on retirement adjustment and wellbeing, integrating work from fields of industrial psychology, positive psychology, and human development. This began with the question, what exactly are retirees struggling with? It was clear that approximately 1 in 3 people struggle with retirement, but there was very little information on what their experiences are, and what they actually struggle with. In order to improve planning and preparation for retirees, we need to first understand what the challenges are. Retirement Life Plan was established after years of research in this area, along with informal interviews and sessions with retirees and pre-retirees. The Retirement Life Coach Certification provides an in-depth look at these adjustment issues, along with strategies for navigating them, and opportunities to work with others on case studies.

Unlike other programs, the Retirement Life Coach Certification is designed for coaches who want to add this specialization to their repertoire. The certification assumes that you have previous coach training and/or experience, and you are looking to develop specialized knowledge and skills for working with retiring clients.

What happens if I am unable to attend one of the live webinars in a cohort?

Participants find the live webinars to be very useful, but the days/ times do not always work out and things come up. If you are unable to attend a webinar, please let us know. We can arrange an alternative live webinar or coursework.

How are the ICF CCE units broken out between Core Competency and Resources Development?

The certification is accredited with ICF for 15 hours of CCE and includes 9 hours of Core Competencies and 6 hours of Resource Development.

Will there be a clear framework with specific exercises to use with clients?

There are sample exercises as well as a general framework that is introduced at the end of the certification and in the training manual. However, we encourage coaches to integrate their previous skills and training in order to create programs that align with their style and their client base. We will spend time discussing how you may adjust your approach to coaching based on client needs and preferences.

How long does each module take to complete?

The modules vary in length, but will generally take 1-1.5 hours.

How long will I have access to the course content?

You will have access to the videos for one year, from the time you complete the course. Other content in the course is available either in the training manual, or for download. If you are interested in maintaining access to videos for more than one year, just contact us and we will work to accommodate your request.

Are there requirements to re-certify?

There are no requirements to re-certify once you have earned the certification.

Are there additional resources if we wanted to continue our learning on different topics?

Most modules in the course have supplemental reading and other resources related to the course content. Also, upon completion of the certification, we encourage you to join the Retirement Life Coach Community, where you’ll have access to discussion boards with other Certified Retirement Life Coaches, a library of resources on topics related to retirement, and regular live webinars to connect with other Certified Retirement Life Coaches. Access to the Community Connect package in the community is complimentary for one year upon certification.

I do not have coach training or experience, but I am interested in the certification. What can I do?

The Retirement Life Coach Certification assumes that you have some background in coaching, as you will be incorporating basic coaching skills into your reflective work during the course. We do have course options for other professionals, which may be an option; or, there are various coaching programs you may choose to complete along with the Retirement Life Coach Certification. Programs vary widely in their requirements, time commitment, and even specializations. Here is an article by Verywell Mind comparing several established coaching programs.

We are also happy to discuss the best training option for you, depending on any training or related experience you have, and how you intend to use the course. Please contact us at hello@retirementlifeplan.com

Do you offer monthly payment plans?

We can set up a payment plan for 2, 3, or 4 monthly installments, with a $39 service fee. All payments must be completed prior to the first webinar, or Module 4 in the self-paced program. Contact us at hello@retirementlifeplan.com for more information.

Do we need a client that we are currently coaching for the Final Client Case Reflection?

For the Client Case Reflection at the end of the course, you can reflect on a previous client, current client, or prospective client. If you do not have someone you have coached around retirement, you can also reflect on someone you know (e.g., colleague or friend). You will be reflecting on their retirement circumstances, utilizing frameworks from the course, as well as how you would approach coaching based on what you learned from the course.

Why the pineapple?

The logo and images we have used convey the sort of tone and feeling that we feel is most aligned with where people are when they are considering retirement. Retirement is often conveyed in an overly optimistic or pessimistic tone; for Retirement Life Plan, we wanted a positive image that would also encompass some of the mixed feelings that often come with retirement.Do you offer monthly payment plans?