Our Resolution: Make 2026 the Year You Find Joy and Contentment in Retirement

Here’s a scenario that may sound familiar. You’ve finally retired, maybe recently. At first, the freedom of your new “work-free” lifestyle felt exhilarating, as though you had been liberated. An exciting world of retirement living seemed to stretch out before you.

But now, some of that bloom appears to have come off the rose, so to speak. What felt like freedom just a few months ago now feels like aimlessness. The realities of living on a reduced income have started to weigh on you. On top of that, you miss the social interaction and the sense of purpose that your job provided. In short, you’re starting to worry that retirement may not be all it’s cracked up to be.

As part of our focus this week on New Year’s Resolutions for 2026, we’re bringing you this recent article from the Motley Fool. The article’s premise is simple: if you’re finding retirement somehow dissatisfying, there may be a few specific culprits that are contributing to your sense of malaise. Moreover, if this describes your retirement journey so far, our challenge to you is to take tangible steps in the New Year to recover your “retirement mojo.”

This Motley Fool article, written by reporter Maurie Backman, could be a good place to begin.

You Don’t Need to Settle for an Unhappy Retirement

Backman begins, “If you’re not enjoying retirement the way you expected to, rest assured that you’re not alone. But there’s also no need to continue being miserable.”

She presents us with the following three most common reasons why people end up being unsatisfied in retirement, along with how we can navigate them. Let’s take a look.

Retirement Downer #1: Money is Tight

It’s very likely that after you retire you won’t have the same regular income as you did when you were working. This is especially true, Backman says, if your primary income stream is Social Security, and if your savings don’t provide an adequate supplement.

“However, some retirees may perceive money to be tighter than it really is,” Backman writes. “That’s because they’re afraid to tap their savings for fear of that pool of money running out. If you’re unhappy as a retiree because you feel that your income is limited, first, reassess that situation. Is money truly tight? Or are you just not touching your IRA or 401(k) out of fear?”

(For a helpful perspective on “excessive frugality,” check out this Blog article from last fall.)

It May Be Time to Rebalance Your Investments to Boost Income

Next, Backman suggests taking a look at how your investments are structured. “If all of your money is in CDs and bonds, your portfolio may not be generating as much income for you as it could be. If so, do some rebalancing,” she writes.

She also advises putting a fair amount of your money into stocks so your portfolio can continue to grow, but also keep a large portion in cash and more stable assets “so you can sleep at night.”

She writes, “You may find that if your portfolio starts working more efficiently for you, it’ll be a more robust stream of income. If that doesn’t do the trick, you can always consider returning to work on a part-time basis. That could mean consulting in your former field or joining the gig economy.”

Make Sure You’re Working with a Financial Dashboard

The Motley Fool article doesn’t mention this vital step, but we feel it is critical. A financial dashboard is the best tool available to help you evaluate what’s really going on with your finances, and to show you ways to boost income, cut expenses, and make your savings last longer. This is particularly true if financial constraints are robbing you of retirement joy.

“No one wants to die broke,” Rajiv admonishes. “If you work with the right financial planner and use a financial dashboard, believe me – it is possible to turn financial stress into peace of mind. This is definitely one place where the old saying is true: knowledge is power.”

Contact us in the New Year and we’ll put you in touch with a planner who can guide you.

Retirement Downer #2: You Feel Isolated

One perk of office culture is that it allows you to interact with other people on the daily. Backman writes, “Even if you never had the largest family or social network outside of the office, if you used to spend your days chatting with colleagues, the shift into retirement can be pretty tough – especially if it means spending your days alone.”

Branching out socially in retirement is crucial to health and wellbeing. Backman suggests looking into local community center events targeted toward people in your age group, exploring faith-based groups, joining a gym, or even finding groups online that meet in person to celebrate similar interests.

“You could also consider a part-time job if you’re feeling isolated, even if you don’t need the money per se,” Backman adds. “It could give you a reason to get out of the house and talk to others.”

Retirement Downer #3: You Feel a Loss of Purpose

For many of us, regular work gives us a sense of productivity and purpose. When you retire, that sense of purpose might feel like it fades away – along with a big part of your identity.

“You could always consult in your former field if you feel it will do your mental health some good. But if that’s not something you want to do, consider volunteering instead,” Backman writes. “Not only might you meet like-minded individuals, but you’ll be supporting a cause you care about, which should help you feel better about yourself.”

Another option, she suggests, is to turn a lifelong hobby into a business: “This especially makes sense if your Social Security benefits aren’t going as far as you’d like them to and you could use the extra money.”

Taking Action Early Can Get You Back On Track

To conclude, Backman reminds us that transitions can be challenging. Sometimes we need to stick with something first, taking time to get through the difficult initial part of the change.

“But if you’re truly unhappy, and it’s for one of the reasons above, try to address it early on,” she writes. “You may find that investing strategically, branching out socially, and volunteering or monetizing a hobby all help improve your overall situation and outlook.”

Rajiv Nagaich – Your Retirement Planning Coach and Guide

Rajiv Nagaich’s newest program on PBS, called The Path to Happily Ever After, is bringing Rajiv’s powerful message to Americans from coast to coast. This engaging and challenging PBS show and the accompanying video and workbook are prompting thousands to take a fresh look at the type of planning that will help them succeed in retirement.

What about you?

The Path to Happily Ever After joins other top-selling resources by Rajiv Nagaich, including the book, Your Retirement: Dream or Disaster, and the DVD and workbook, Master Your Future. Each of these is a powerful planning tool in your retirement toolbox. As a friend of AgingOptions, we know you’ll want to get your copies and spread the word.

You’ve heard Rajiv say it repeatedly: 70 percent of retirement plans will fail. If you know someone whose retirement turned into a nightmare when they were forced into a nursing home, went broke paying for care, or became a burden to their families – and you want to make sure it doesn’t happen to you – then these materials are your key to retirement success.

Through stories, examples, and personal insights, Rajiv takes us along on his journey of expanding awareness of a problem that few are willing to talk about – yet it’s one that results in millions of Americans sleepwalking their way into their worst nightmares about aging. Rajiv lays bare the shortcomings of traditional retirement planning advice, exposes the biases many professionals have about what is best for older adults, and much more.

Rajiv then offers a solution: LifePlanning, his groundbreaking approach to retirement planning. Rajiv explains the essential planning steps and, most importantly, how to develop the framework for these elements to work in concert toward your most deeply held retirement goals.

Your retirement can be the exciting and fulfilling life you’ve always wanted it to be. Start by watching, reading and sharing Rajiv’s important message. And remember, Age On, everyone!

(originally reported at www.fool.com)