Session 3 · Guide and forms

Couples Conversation Comparison

Retirement & Relationships: Couples Conversation Worksheet

You can use this in one sitting or over several conversations. Each partner answers individually first, then you share.

1. How Do We Each Define Retirement?

Aligned	Different

2. Our Daily Life in Retirement

Individually, imagine a “good” typical week in retirement.

My ideal week looks like:

Time or Activity	Aligned	Different
How I spend mornings:
How I spend afternoons:
How I spend evenings:
Time with partner/family/friends:
Work/volunteering/hobbies:
Together – What elements do we want to design into our shared life?

3. Our Transition Styles

Think about a past major change (job change, move, loss, etc.).

•We mostly struggle with:

•Endings / The messy middle / New beginnings

•Examples of how we reacted in the past:

•

•What we most need from each other during transitions:

•

Together – How can we support each other better in this retirement transition?

•

4. Health, “What-Ifs” & Quality of Life

	Wife	Husband
Biggest concerns
“Quality of life” means:
One thing I’d like us to plan for (location, care, lifestyle):

Together – Actions we could take in the next 6–12 months:

5. Purpose, Contribution, and Giving Back

	Wife	Husband
Things that give me a sense of purpose now:
Ways I’d like to give back in retirement:
Together – Possible shared projects or contributions:

6. Our Strengths as a Couple

	Wife	Husband
Strengths as seen by partner:
Strengths I think I have and want to use
How do we lean on these strengths in retirement

7. The 24–48 Hour Question

Answer individually, then share.

If I found out I had 24–48 hours to live, I would regret not having done or said…

Together – What do we want to change now based on these answers?

Use this worksheet as a living document—revisit it yearly or after major life changes.