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 But for many women today, especially those in good health and with energy to spare, the idea of retiring at 65 feels outdated.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.

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.