Product Description

Eighty million baby boomers are heading toward retirement. Some are retiring now, either out of choice or because they have been laid off. Others will work for a few more years until their retirement plans kick in, until they feel they can retire, or until they’re forced to retire. Whatever their age at retirement, they will have better health and live longer than their parents. And each of them will face these questions:

Do I want a reason to get up in the morning and be excited about the day ahead?
Do I still want to make a difference in the world?
They need a vision—a goal that takes into account their experience, wisdom, strengths, and limitations, and gives purpose to their lives.

Dr. Harold G. Koenig, with expertise in the fields of geriatrics, mental health, and religion, explains that the notion of retirement was in fact a marketing tool developed in the post-World War II period. Continuing today, society’s image of retirement is based largely on myths, such as: things will get better when you retire—you’ll be able to do everything you wanted to but couldn’t when you worked. In fact, these beliefs can be harmful, leading to emotional issues, identity crises, and problems with physical health.

Citing current scientific and medical research, Koenig illustrates how having a purpose motivates and energizes people in their retirement years. He presents a step-by-step guide to identifying a goal toward which they can strive. And he shows how striving for that goal in itself brings meaning, satisfaction, and a sense of reward to retirement years.

"Finding purpose is more urgent than ever during the retirement years, when the search for purpose becomes one of the deepest of human longings," says Koenig. His Purpose and Power in Retirement is an invaluable resource for everyone heading toward retirement, and for anyone seeking meaning in life.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #642672 in Books
• Published on: 2007-03-26
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 208 pages

From Publishers Weekly
In this thoughtful self-help manual, Duke University associate medicine professor Koenig explores life after retirement as an opportunity for growth. He presents a stimulating overview of the social trends e.g., the shift from older Americans working far past the age of 65 (in the 1800s) to older Americans with increased economic independence (in the 1900s) that led to the common view of retirement years as leisure time. Koenig debunks the myths that surround this life period and argues that embarking on a life of relaxation is actually counter-productive to one's health. A life of self-indulgence may lead to "lower levels of well-being" brought on by weight gain and marital problems, he says. Koenig contends that a successful retirement results not from a high income, but rather from identifying a higher purpose in life that will lead to emotional fulfillment. Although everyone must design their own retirement goals, Koenig suggests choosing activities that benefit others and that are based on talents or abilities a retiree possesses and will enjoy utilizing. He recommends seeking out volunteer opportunities, and also stresses deepening one's personal spirituality in retirement. Those who share the author's strong religious orientation will benefit the most from his advice. A committed Christian, he nevertheless believes that all religions can offer the means to spiritual development and offers here resources for people of many faiths, as well as for those who are uncertain of their spiritual direction. Altogether, it makes for an introspective look at a lengthening period in the lives of older Americans.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Well researched and packed with statistics and studies (and 286 endnotes!), his book observes that "baby boomers will be the healthiest, most physically active, best-educated group of retirees in history." In an academic tone, he encourages retirees to "make a meaningful difference for at least one other person" in the world. Yes, retirees have earned the right to relax, but while "recreation and a little self-indulgence are definitely part of the picture....They are not at the center of the picture." Koenig writes more as a social scientist, and thus his book is suitable for academic libraries. For the cut-and-dried crowd, try Lynn O'Shaughnessy's The Retirement Bible.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author
Harold G. Koenig, M.D., is associate professor of psychiatry and associate professor of medicine at Duke University Medical Center. He is the director and founder of Duke’s Center for the Study of Religion/Spirituality and Health. He is the editor of the International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine, editor-in-chief of Research News and Opportunities in Science and Theology, and has published extensively in the fields of mental health, geriatrics, and religion. His most recent books include The Handbook of Religion and Health as well as Parish Nursing and Spirituality in Patient Care, both published by Templeton Foundation Press. He lives in Durham, North Carolina.

Customer Reviews

On reaping the most out of our retirement years
Purpose And Power In Retirement: New Opportunities For Meaning And Significance by Harold G. Koenig (Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Associate Professor of Medicine at Duke University Medical Center) is a straightforward, "reader friendly" guide that dispels common retirement myths, and offers invaluable, practical advice for making the most of one's "golden years", including reaping the benefits of volunteering, learning to live healthy for a better quality of life, reducing personal stress, and more. An excellent and very highly recommended instructional and reference guide to reaping the most out of our retirement years, Purpose And Power In Retirement should be a part of every community library Retirement Preparation and Personal Growth collection.

Inspiration, informative, fascinating
As a person getting ready to retire, this is a treasure trove of practical information that has been very helpful. Not only is it informative, it is also inspirational and a fast and easy read.

Somewhat dated
This is a relatively easy, somewhat thoughtful read. However for a 2002 book it felt strangely out of date. My sense was that it was aimed at people who wake up on their 65th birthday and suddenly find their 40 year career is over. There was none of the current angst about the word "retirement", nor much coverage of the many "portfolio" options available to people in the age 50+ space
Overall ok, but there are better books on this subject area.
The basic thesis of this book is that many people arrive at retirement unprepared. They need to develop a purpose and the best source of purpose is volunteer work. Volunteering is part of the important task of cultivating generosity. There is a chapter about developing spirituality which is said to be important...this chapter is largely Christian based. Many of the other chapters refer to the author's Christian background but it is not likely to be intrusive for non-Christians. I didn't read the chapter on "Reducing Stress"; and "Live Healthily" is much better covered in other books.