My Next Phase: The Personality-Based Guide to Your Best Retirement »

The company My Next Phase has helped thousands of people planning for retirement develop a practical plan for this next stage of their lives. Co-founder Eric Sundstrom is an applied psychologist and a consultant for companies such as AT&T, Exxon, and PepsiCo. Co-founder Randy Burnham is a clinical psychologist. Founder Michael S. Burnham is the CEO of My Next Phase and an entrepreneur who has started several successful companies.

Too many people 'flunk' retirement—even after a lifetime of hard work. Why? Because they only plan on their financial needs, not their emotional ones as they move into the next phase of life.

The key to a successful retirement lies in your personality, NOT in your bank account. My Next Phase—featured in The New York Times, BusinessWeek, and The Washington Post—offers a revolutionary, step-by-step process to figure out your personal "Retirement Style" and creates a unique retirement plan based on who you are. Take the My Next Phase quizzes and find out:

WHAT'S YOUR SOCIAL STYLE? If you're outgoing, you'll need companionship through your days, whether you leave your job or keep working. If you're contemplative, you'll need solitude as well as social connection to find the fulfillment in the years ahead.

WHAT'S YOUR STRESS STYLE? If you're resilient, you'll push yourself to find challenge—and get bored without it. If you're responsive, you'll need to pace yourself. Either way, you'll need a passion that gives you a reason to get out of bed each day.

WHAT'S YOUR PLANNING STYLE? If you're structured, you'll prefer to schedule your time. If you're flexible, you'll want a freer, less scheduled life.

And many more questions (and answers) to ensure a happy, fulfilling 'next phase' of life.

Acknowledgments     ix
Introduction: What Is My Next Phase?     xi
Understanding Retirement
Are You Ready to Retire?: Take the Up-4-Retirement Quiz     3
Is Retirement History?: How Boomers Are Redefining Retirement as We Know It     20
What Is Your Retirement Style?: How Your Personality Determines Your Best Retirement     36
The Seven Personality Traits That Determine Your Best Retirement
What Is Your Social Style?: How Understanding Your Social Style Will Keep You from "Flunking" Retirement     55
What Is Your Stress Style?: How Understanding Your Stress Style Will Make Your Transition Easier     66
What Is Your Activity Style?: How Understanding Your Activity Style Influences Your Personal Fulfillment     89
What Is Your Information Style?: How Understanding Your Information Style Will Help You Brainstorm Options for Retirement     110
What Is Your Outlook Style?: How Understanding Your Outlook Style Will Help You Select the Ingredients of Your Next Phase     132
What Is Your Decision Style?: How to Use Your Decision Style to Choose the Best Role Models for Retirement     158
What Is Your Planning Style? How Understanding Your Planning Style Offers the Final Key to a Fulfilling Retirement     176
Resources     201
References and Research     215
Index     220