A Guide to a Happy Retirement for Couples

Your Retirement Guide with George Jameson, CFP®
Discover how couples can thrive in retirement—financially, emotionally, and physically. George Jameson, CFP® and founder of Capital Wealth Group in Columbia, SC, shares practical tips for building a happy, healthy, and fulfilling next chapter together. 

 Welcome to "The Retirement Guide" Podcast! I'm your host George Jameson, owner of Capital Wealth Group, a Fee Only Advisory firm. Whether you’re nearing retirement or already retired, Join me each week as we explore the world of retirement planning and equip you with the knowledge and tools you need for a successful retirement.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of The Retirement Guide. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe & leave a review. If you'd like a free 30-minute retirement review, visit our website at www.capitalwealthplan.com to schedule.

This is for education only.It is not tax, legal, or investment advice. Before  acting on any information consult your tax, legal, or investment advisor.

Let's Connect!

Visit our Website: Capital Wealth Group

Schedule a Free Introductory Call Today! (30min)

Capital Wealth Group is a Fee-Only Advisory Firm located in Columbia, SC , serving clients locally in South Carolina and North Carolina and virtually nationwide.

Any Questions or Topic Ideas? Send me an email at George@capitalwealthgroupsc.com

Transcript

🎙️ Podcast Script: A Guide to a Happy Retirement for Couples

Hi everyone. Welcome back to the show. It's been a little while. My last episode was on October 17th, and I'm excited to be back with you. I took a short break for two reasons. First, I've been busy working with a number of new clients, but the main reason is that I decided it was time to continue my financial planning education.

I went back and earned a new designation, the RICP. Which stands for Retirement Income Certified Professional. It's highly respected designation for advisors who work with clients nearing or in retirement.

Over 200 hours of coursework and studying, plus passing two to our exams. It's a commitment I'm excited to make to better serve my clients.

The biggest takeaway for me from this course was a deeper understanding of how to create sustainable, reliable income throughout retirement. A stage that's very different from the wealth building years.

Since most of my clients are nearing or already in retirement. This was a natural extension of my work as a certified financial planner. Now that I've completed the designation, I'm ready to get back to weekly episodes. Thanks for sticking with me, and let's jump in today's topic.

Welcome to Your Retirement Guide, the show that helps you make smarter financial and life decisions as you plan for — and live in — retirement.

I’m George Jameson, Certified Financial Planner and founder of Capital Wealth Group here in Columbia, South Carolina. We’re a fee-only advisory firm that focuses on ongoing financial planning and investments, one-time plans, and hourly consulting — all designed to help you live the retirement you’ve worked so hard for. If you like what you hear, please subscribe and share it with a friend.

Alright, let’s dive in.

Today we’re talking about something that doesn’t get nearly enough attention — how couples can actually stay happy together in retirement.

Most conversations about retirement focus on the financial side — how much to save, how to invest, tax strategies, all that financial stuff. And while that’s incredibly important, it’s only part of the equation.

Because retirement isn’t just a financial event. It’s a life transition. It’s two people suddenly spending a lot more time together — sometimes for the first time in decades — without the structure of work or kids.

And if you’re not intentional about how you handle that change, it can create tension in even the strongest relationships.

One trend that really highlights this is what’s known as the  “gray divorce.”
Divorces among couples over age 50 and it has been steadily increasing.

Why? Well, once the kids are gone and careers slow down, couples often realize they’ve grown apart. One spouse might want to travel the world while the other is perfectly content staying home. Or maybe they have very different views about how to spend — or save — their retirement money.

Whatever the reason, this is a growing trend and a reminder that emotional and relational planning in retirement is just as important as financial side  of retirement planning.

So how do you strengthen your relationship and actually enjoy retirement together?

 The first step is creating a shared vision.

Take the time to sit down and talk about what you each want this next chapter to look like. What are you excited about? What do you hope your days will look like? What do you want to accomplish — and maybe even what are worried about?

Then, look for the overlap — those are the things you’ll enjoy together. But don’t ignore the areas that don’t overlap. Having independence is also healthy. You don’t have to do everything together.

Maybe one of you wants to volunteer or take classes, while the other wants to golf or garden. That’s great — do both. The happiest couples in retirement are the ones who support each other’s interests while still having shared time together.

Next, let’s talk about friendships and social networks.

During our working years, a lot of our social life revolves around the office — coworkers, clients, and that daily sense of structure. This is especially true if both of you have been working full-time. And Once that goes away, it’s easy to feel disconnected.

That’s why it’s so important to maintain — or even build new — social connections outside of work. Studies consistently show that retirees with strong friendships are happier, healthier, live longer and less likely to experience loneliness or depression.

You can join clubs, volunteer, get involved with your church, and maybe even reconnect with old friends. Staying socially active keeps your mind sharp and your mood steady — and honestly, it just makes life more fun.

Of course, family plays a big role too.

Many retirees look forward to spending more time with children and grandchildren — and that can be one of the greatest joys of retirement.

But balance matters here too. You want to be available and involved without losing your own sense of independence. Make time for family and for yourselves.

And don’t forget your broader community — whether it’s through neighborhood activities, volunteer groups, or local organizations. Staying engaged gives you a sense of belonging and purpose that keeps your days meaningful.

Then there’s the big one — physical health.

This is one of the biggest predictors of happiness in retirement. The better you feel physically, the more freedom you have to do the things you love.

Exercise doesn’t have to mean going to the gym every day — walking, swimming, yoga, dancing, even yard work all count. The key is to stay consistent.

Physical activity reduces the risk of chronic conditions, helps your brain function better, and can dramatically improve your mood. Combine that with a balanced diet, staying hydrated, and keeping up with preventive healthcare, and you’ll be setting yourself up for a healthier, more active retirement.

And That ties right into mental and cognitive health.

There’s a natural slowdown that happens as we age, but you can do a lot to stay sharp. Keep learning new things, reading, solving puzzles, trying new hobbies. Even something as simple as learning a new technology or even better a musical instrument can all strengthen your brain.

And remember — emotional health matters too. Mindfulness, meditation, or counseling can all be great tools for managing the transitions that come with aging and retirement.

Staying mentally and emotionally engaged is one of the best ways to stay positive and resilient through all the changes life brings.

Before I wrap up, I want to share a great resource:
A book called A Couple’s Guide to Happy Retirement and Aging.

It’s one of the most comprehensive guides I’ve found that focuses not just on the money side of retirement, but the relationship and emotional side too. The author remind us that by 2030, one in five Americans will be 65 or older — and many will live well into their 80s or 90s.

That means retirement could easily make up a quarter of your life. And it’s not enough to just plan financially for that time — you also need to plan emotionally and mentally for it as well.

So to sum it up:
 A happy retirement for couples and even for those who are single, this isn’t just about the numbers. It’s about creating a shared vision, staying active and engaged, nurturing relationships, and maintaining your independence and health.

Because when you’re intentional about both the financial and personal side of retirement, you set yourself up for a long, meaningful, and truly happy next chapter together.

Thanks for joining me on Your Retirement Guide. I’m George Jameson, CFP®, founder of Capital Wealth Group here in Columbia, South Carolina — We’re a fee-only advisory firm helping people plan and live confident in retirement.

If you’d like to take the next step, schedule a free consultation. We offer ongoing financial planning and investment management, we can also do one-time plans, and hourly work — all focused on helping you retire with clarity and peace of mind.

You can find us online at CapitalWealthgroupSC.com.

Thanks for listening, again please subscribe and share your thoughts below — and as always, here’s to living your best life now and have a great day!