Most of us look forward to our retirement from full-time work, eagerly anticipating more free time and opportunities to play. But the reality of retirement can be different and hard to adjust to. Unexpected challenges may present themselves, leading us to question who we really are and what we can reasonably expect to accomplish in the remaining years of our lives. We may be confused by our changing relationships with family and friends, which no longer conform to an easy structure.

Nancy Schlossberg, a psychologist and experienced counselor, provides tips on coping with its ups and downs and reassures us that retirement can be one of the most fulfilling times of one's life. Readers are introduced to some common personality types among retirees, including Continuers, Adventurers, Searchers, Retreaters, and Easy Gliders. Armed with this knowledge, the author shows us how understanding our retirement "type" can help us put our strengths and resources to work.

Each of the seven chapters contains dozens of examples of situations experienced by actual retirees and includes short self-assessment quizzes. Topics covered include doing a personal inventory, shoring up one's relationships, investigating new roles and activities, and taking charge of one's future. This thought-provoking book is a must-read for recent retirees and those about to retire.