Retirement used to be seen as a finish line—a well-earned rest after decades of work. But for many women today, especially those in good health and with energy to spare, the idea of retiring at 65 feels outdated. Whether it's to stay mentally sharp, maintain social connections, supplement income, or simply because you love what you do, working past traditional retirement age is increasingly common—and entirely valid.

What would you do if the banks in your country suddenly closed and the stock market did as well? It’s not an impossible scenario and has happened numerous times throughout history, even in the United States (remember the Great Depression)? Coups, financial meltdowns, software glitches, terrorist attacks, Internet and power outages have all resulted in a sudden inability for people to access their money.

Retirement is a major life transition, much like starting school or landing your first job. It takes time to adjust to this new phase, and the process often follows a familiar emotional pattern. From pre-planning to finding contentment, retirement can be broken into five distinct stages, each with its own challenges and joys.