I watched my dad retire with every financial box checked and then go back to work within a year - and it wasn't until he said 'I miss being useful' that I understood what we never talk about when we talk about retirement - Silicon Canals

"Retirement is one of the most common triggers for 'role loss,' a term used by psychologists to describe the removal of a significant social role, leaving individuals without a clear sense of identity."

"When that day came, he had the pension, the savings, and the plan: golf, reading, gardening, relaxing. Within a year, he went back to work. Not because he needed the money. Because one evening over dinner, he said something that stuck with me: 'I miss being useful.'"

Retirement often brings unexpected challenges, particularly the loss of identity and purpose. Many individuals, like the author's father, find that their professional roles define them, shaping their social interactions and sense of contribution. When these roles disappear, it can create an identity vacuum, leading to feelings of uselessness. Psychologists refer to this phenomenon as 'role loss,' which occurs when a significant social role is removed, leaving individuals without a clear sense of self. This aspect of retirement is frequently overlooked in discussions about financial planning.

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