Couples Conversation Worksheet

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 I Define Retirement?

My view of retirement:

•What does “retirement” mean to me (full stop, part-time, encore work, volunteering, etc.)?

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•Ideally, when and how would I like to retire?

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2. My and Our Daily Life in Retirement

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

My ideal week looks like:

•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?

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3. My Transition Style

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

•I usually struggle most with (circle one):

•Endings / The messy middle / New beginnings

•An example of how I reacted in the past:

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•What I most need from you during transitions:

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

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

•When I think about my health as I age, my biggest concerns are:

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•“Quality of life” means:

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•One thing I’d like us to plan for (location, care, lifestyle):

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

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5. Purpose, Contribution, and Giving Back

•Things that give me a sense of purpose now:

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•Ways I’d like to give back in retirement:

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Together – Possible shared projects or contributions:

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6. Our Strengths as a Couple

Strengths I see in you that help us in this stage:

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Together – How we want to lean on these strengths in retirement:

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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…

•Done: ____________________________________________

•Said (especially to you): ____________________________

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

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