Preparing for the Psychological Side of Retirement with Dr. Joy Lere

In this episode of Money & Meaning, host Jeff Bernier is joined by Dr. Joy Lere, a licensed clinical psychologist and co-founder of Shaping Wealth. They examine retirement as more than a financial milestone, focusing on the shift in identity, purpose, and daily structure that comes with leaving a career. Joy shares how unmet expectations, loss, and identity challenges can shape the transition, along with practical ways to prepare by building a meaningful life outside of work and continuing to contribute beyond a paycheck.

Topics covered:

Retirement as an existential transition, not just a financial one

The gap between expectations and reality in life after work

Normalizing loss, stress, and emotional complexity in transitions

Building a life outside of work before retiring

Balancing meaningful work with other areas of life

Continuing purpose and contribution beyond a paycheck

Identity challenges when stepping away from a long-held role

Shifting mindset from “what you do” to “who you are”

Identifying needs fulfilled by work and finding alternatives

Avoidance and delaying difficult transitions