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Rarified Life

FAQ

Retirement coach questions, answered plainly

Last updated: November 2, 2026

A retirement coach helps you plan identity, purpose and daily life after your career, and the 47 answers below explain how Rarified Life and its Preferment framework approach that.

What is a retirement coach?

What is a retirement coach?
A retirement coach helps you plan the non-financial side of retiring: who you are without your job title, what you want your days to hold, and how to build a routine around it. Rarified Life approaches this through Preferment, a framework that aligns your next chapter with your values, meaningful pursuits and continuous learning.
What does a retirement coach actually do?
A retirement coach guides you through structured questions and exercises about identity, motivation, values and daily structure, then holds you accountable to the plan you make. In the Rarified Life Preferment course, that work runs across six modules: Introduction, Identity, Motivation, Alignment, Accountability and Launch, with homework between weekly sessions.
What is a retirement life coach?
A retirement life coach is a life coach who focuses on the transition out of a career and into what comes after. The focus is purpose, identity and relationships rather than investments. Rarified Life offers this kind of guidance through its Preferment framework, built for high achievers planning life after 50.
What is retirement transition coaching?
Retirement transition coaching supports you through the shift from full-time work to a new chapter, ideally starting before your last day. Rarified Life encourages starting while you are still working, so you can answer "So, what do you do?" with something other than "I used to," even if retirement is years away.
What is Preferment?
Preferment is the Rarified Life framework and platform for reshaping retirement into an active, purpose-driven next chapter. The word means advancement or promotion, which reflects the idea behind it: treating the years after a career as an ascension rather than an ending. It is taught in a live 8-week course led by founder Anne van Leynseele.
What is Rarified Life?
Rarified Life is the business behind the Preferment framework and platform, founded by Anne van Leynseele. It helps people, particularly high achievers planning life after 50, design a next chapter around personal values, meaningful pursuits and continuous learning. Rarified Life LLC lists locations in Edmonds, Washington and Captain Cook, Hawaii.

Pricing and cost

How much does a retirement coach cost?
Published prices vary widely. AARP reports rates from about $125 to $150 an hour up to $800 to $1,000 an hour in major cities, one coach charging around $150 per session, and another charging a flat $3,600 for six months. Coaching Aging Adults lists $200 per session, typically 3 sessions a month.
How much does the Preferment course cost?
As of November 2026, the Preferment live course listing on rarifiedlife.com shows a price of $6,000.00, while the course description on the same page states an investment of $3,000 for eight weekly live sessions, the book and guided homework. Check the current price on rarifiedlife.com before enrolling.
Is the Rarified Life webinar free?
Yes. The Rarified Life presentation is offered free and is described as being for accomplished women in their 50s and 60s who are nearing or in retirement. It outlines a 5-step plan for replacing the "What now?" feeling of retirement with a clear direction.
Does the Breakthrough Session cost anything?
Rarified Life has not published a price for the 40-minute Breakthrough Session on the pages this site draws from. The session is scheduled through rarifiedlife.com, where any current terms are shown. If price matters to your decision, confirm it there before choosing a time.
Is a retirement coach worth the money?
It depends on what is missing. If your finances are in order but you feel no direction, a coach targets exactly that gap. Published research cited by Life Coaching Certification found 28% of retirees experience depression, with a reported 40% spike in self-reported depression in the first years after retiring, which shows the non-financial side carries real weight.
What is included in the Preferment course price?
The Preferment course includes eight weekly live sessions with Anne van Leynseele, the Preferment book as your companion text and workbook, and homework built into the book that you complete between sessions. Each week builds on the last, moving through six modules from Introduction to Launch.

How Preferment works

How long is the Preferment course?
The Preferment course runs for 8 weeks, with one live session with Anne van Leynseele each week. Between sessions you complete the exercises built into the Preferment book. The structure is designed so each week builds on the one before it.
What are the six Preferment modules?
The six modules are Introduction, Identity, Motivation, Alignment, Accountability and Launch. They move from understanding where you are now, to separating who you are from what you did, finding what moves you, matching values to daily life, building structure, and finally naming your mission for the next chapter.
Is there a book that goes with the course?
Yes. The course works through Anne van Leynseele's book Preferment chapter by chapter, and the book is included with the course. It serves as the companion text and workbook, with homework built in. A chapter titled "Embracing the Currents of Change" uses water as a metaphor for adapting and growing.
Is there homework in the Preferment course?
Yes. Homework is built into the Preferment book and done between the weekly live sessions. Rarified Life describes the exercises as real exercises, not busywork, meant to turn reading into a plan you can actually follow.
What is the Breakthrough Session?
The Breakthrough Session is a 40-minute call with Rarified Life, scheduled through rarifiedlife.com. It is the recommended first step for visitors, a focused conversation before exploring the Preferment platform and course in more depth.
Is the Preferment course online or in person?
The course is described as eight weekly live sessions with Anne van Leynseele, and the pages this site draws from do not state whether sessions are online or in person. Rarified Life lists Edmonds, Washington and Captain Cook, Hawaii. Confirm the format on rarifiedlife.com.
Does Rarified Life offer 1:1 retirement coaching?
As of November 2026, Rarified Life lists 1:1 coaching as coming soon. Today the main offerings are the 40-minute Breakthrough Session, the live 8-week Preferment course and the free webinar for women in their 50s and 60s.

Who it is for

Who is Preferment for?
Preferment is built for driven people, particularly high achievers planning life after 50, who are done treating retirement as an ending. It suits people whose identity has been closely tied to their work and who want a structured path rather than a pep talk.
Can I start if I am still working full time?
Yes. Rarified Life explicitly encourages starting while you are still working, even if your last day is years away. The free presentation covers how to begin turning things around today, without waiting for retirement day and without asking anyone's permission.
Is Rarified Life only for women?
No. The Preferment course is described for driven people generally. The free webinar, however, is specifically for accomplished women in their 50s and 60s who are nearing or in retirement, which is one audience Rarified Life focuses on closely.
I already retired. Is it too late?
No. The free presentation is for women nearing or already in retirement, and the course speaks directly to people who have more time than ever and are unsure what it is for. A participant quoted on rarifiedlife.com describes spending a few years "wandering around like a goldfish in a bowl" before Preferment.
Who could benefit from a retirement coach?
People who feel adrift after leaving work, whose identity was wrapped up in their job, or who have their money planned but not their days tend to benefit most. Life Coaching Certification reports a 30% uptick in retirement coaching demand as baby boomers retire, with coaches addressing identity, purpose and relationships.

Compared to alternatives

Retirement coach vs financial advisor: what is the difference?
A financial advisor plans your money; a retirement coach plans your life. Rarified Life argues that meeting with a financial planner alone is a poor way to prepare for the rest of your life, because it leaves identity, purpose and daily structure unaddressed. Most people benefit from both.
Is a retirement coach the same as a therapist?
No. A retirement coach focuses on planning and action for your next chapter, while a licensed therapist diagnoses and treats mental health conditions. If you are experiencing depression or persistent distress, speak with a licensed mental health professional or your doctor first. Coaching can complement that care.
Is a group course better than one-on-one coaching?
Each fits different people. A structured course like Preferment gives a fixed 8-week path with a book and homework. Per-session coaching, such as the $200 sessions listed by Coaching Aging Adults, offers more flexibility. Choose based on whether you want structure or open-ended support.
Can I plan my retirement life on my own?
Yes, many people do, using journaling, reflection and reading. The trade-off is accountability: Rarified Life builds an Accountability module into Preferment because intention without structure often fades. If you have tried planning alone and keep stalling, a structured path may help.
Do I need a certified professional retirement coach?
Coaching is not a licensed profession in most places, so certification varies by program. Look at the coach's experience, structure and fit. Rarified Life founder Anne van Leynseele brings four career reinventions: film and television production, Fortune 100 digital strategy, federal legal service and farm ownership.
How do I find a retirement coach near me?
Search for coaches in your area, then compare their focus, format, price and experience. Rarified Life lists Edmonds, Washington and Captain Cook, Hawaii. Ask any coach whether sessions are live, how long the program runs and what is included before you commit.

Life after 50 and 60

How do I find purpose in life after 50?
Start by separating who you are from what you did for a living, then identify what genuinely motivates you now. This is the order Rarified Life uses in Preferment: Identity, then Motivation, then Alignment of your values and strengths with how you spend your days.
How do I find purpose in life after 60?
The same steps apply at 60: clarify identity beyond work, find what moves you without a paycheck, and build daily structure around it. Rarified Life's free presentation is specifically for women in their 50s and 60s, reflecting that many people face this question across both decades.
Why do I have no direction in life at 50?
For many high achievers, direction came from work: goals, titles and deadlines. When that structure fades, the sense of direction can fade with it. This is common and solvable. Rarified Life frames it as a design problem, not a personal failing, and starts with identity.
What does life after 50 look like for a woman?
It can be one of the most self-directed chapters of life. Rarified Life focuses closely on accomplished women in their 50s and 60s, helping them move from filling days with errands and appointments to building a life people ask about, while strengthening energy, health and relationships.
Does life really begin after 50?
For many people, the years after 50 bring more freedom and choice than any earlier decade. Rarified Life is built on that idea: treating retirement not as an ending but as an ascension, a chapter designed around your values, meaningful pursuits and continuous learning.
How do I rebuild my life after divorce at 50?
Rebuilding after divorce at 50 often starts with the same questions as retirement: who am I now, what matters to me, and how do I want to spend my days. Rarified Life does not offer divorce-specific services, but the identity and values work in Preferment applies to any major life transition.
What is the best retirement advice from retirees?
A recurring lesson from people who have retired is that work did not define them as fully as they thought. One Preferment participant quoted on rarifiedlife.com said, "I thought work defined me, but I discovered I am so much more. I learned to 'be' rather than just 'do' on autopilot."

Getting started

What is the best first step with Rarified Life?
The recommended first step is the 40-minute Breakthrough Session, scheduled through rarifiedlife.com. After that, explore the Preferment framework and the live 8-week course. If you are a woman in your 50s or 60s, the free webinar is another low-commitment starting point.
How do I enroll in the Preferment course?
Enrollment happens on rarifiedlife.com, where the Preferment live course is listed in the shop. This site is informational and does not take enrollments. Visit rarifiedlife.com to see the current price, dates and terms.
When should I start planning for life after retirement?
Earlier is easier. Rarified Life encourages starting years before your last day at work, so the transition is a launch rather than a sudden stop. The free presentation is framed around building a real answer to "So, what do you do?" in 8 weeks, even if retirement is still years away.
Where is Rarified Life located?
Rarified Life LLC lists Edmonds, Washington and a mailing address of PO Box 1174, Captain Cook, Hawaii 96704. Founder Anne van Leynseele co-owns an award-winning chocolate farm on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Common problems

Is it normal to feel depressed after retiring?
It is common. A meta-analysis cited by Life Coaching Certification found 28% of retirees experience depression, with a 40% spike in self-reported depression in the first years after retiring. If you feel persistently low, talk to your doctor or a licensed mental health professional. Coaching is not a substitute for that care.
Why do some people withdraw after retirement?
When work provided identity, social contact and structure all at once, losing it can lead people to pull back. Rarified Life's free presentation addresses why capable women can reach 8 months into retirement and stop answering the phone, and what to do about it, even while still working.
What if my whole identity is wrapped up in my work?
That is exactly who Preferment is built for. The Identity module focuses on separating who you are from what you did for a living. Rarified Life's free presentation says its plan works even if your entire identity has been wrapped up in your work.
What if my days are just errands and appointments?
This is a common sign that structure has replaced purpose. The Preferment Alignment and Accountability modules address it directly, matching your values and strengths to how you spend your days, then building structure so intention becomes a lived routine.
Will I have to slow down my career to do this?
No. Rarified Life says its approach works without slowing down, without waiting for retirement day and without asking anyone's permission. The course asks for one weekly live session plus homework from the book over 8 weeks.
What if I have no idea what I want next?
That is a normal starting point. Rarified Life's free presentation covers how to pinpoint what your future self really wants, even if it feels like a total mystery now. The course adds that you do not need a five-year plan, just a structured place to start.

Still deciding? Read what a retirement coach does, compare retirement coach costs, or explore finding purpose in life after 50.

Where to go next

  1. First step

    The 40-minute Breakthrough Session

    A focused first conversation before committing to anything larger.

    Read about the session

  2. Then

    Explore the Preferment platform

    Six modules, from identity to launch, taught over eight live weeks.

    Explore Preferment