Research
Retirement coaching by the numbers
Last updated: November 2026
What do the statistics say about retirement and coaching?
Published research shows that the personal side of retirement carries real risk: 28% of retirees experience depression, according to a meta-analysis cited by Life Coaching Certification.
Rarified Life collected the figures below from published surveys, studies and industry reports because they explain why its Preferment framework focuses on identity, purpose and structure, not money alone. Every number is stated as published, with its source. None of them are Rarified Life's own client results.
New here? Start with the Rarified Life retirement coach overview, then come back to this page.
How often do retirees struggle with depression?
A meta-analysis found 28% of retirees experience depression, with a 40% spike in self-reported depression during the first years after retiring (PMC, 2020/2022), as cited by Life Coaching Certification. The same source reports that retirement coaching demand has seen a 30% uptick as baby boomers retire, with coaches addressing identity, purpose and relationships, not just money.
How confident are Americans about retirement?
According to EBRI figures cited in a Financial Planning Association journal article, only 38 percent of all private workers participate in employer-sponsored defined contribution plans, and just 14 percent of Americans are confident in their ability to retire comfortably (Helman, Copeland, and VanDerhei 2012). The same article cites Bernheim (1993), who concluded that actual savings rates are 9 percent to 19 percent lower annually than optimal for young households aged 35 to 45.
How does caregiving affect retirement readiness?
| Measure | Caregivers | Non-caregivers |
|---|---|---|
| Less than $10,000 in savings and investments | 34% | 25% |
| Household income of $75,000 or more | 53% | 62% |
| Female | 61% | 47% |
EBRI defines caregivers as those who provided unpaid care for an adult and/or child within the last 12 months in a noninstitutional setting and helped with at least one activity of daily living or instrumental activity of daily living. Source: EBRI, Findings From the 2026 Retirement Confidence Survey.
How big is the coaching market?
Based on ICF data, the global coaching industry generated $5.34 billion in revenue in 2025, according to Luisa Zhou, who projects it to reach $5.8 billion in 2026 and $9.5 billion by 2032 based on ICF growth figures.
What do retirement coaches charge?
AARP quotes rates from $125 to $150 an hour up to $800 to $1,000 per hour in major cities such as Boston, Miami or San Francisco. Life Coaching Certification reports retirement coaches typically charge $150 to $300 per session. Read the full retirement coach cost guide.
Sources
- Life Coaching Certification, Retirement Coaching: An Emerging Niche for 2026
- EBRI, Findings From the 2026 Retirement Confidence Survey
- Financial Planning Association, A Comparison of Retirement Strategies and Financial Planner Value
- Luisa Zhou, The Ultimate List of Life Coaching Statistics (2026 Update)
- AARP, Do You Need a Retirement Coach?
Common questions
- Is retirement coaching worth it?
- It depends on what you are missing. If your finances are in place but you feel unsure what retirement is for, coaching targets that gap directly. Life Coaching Certification cites a meta-analysis finding 28% of retirees experience depression, with a 40% spike in self-reported depression during the first years after retiring. Coaching is one structured way to prepare for that shift.
- Why do some people feel depressed after retiring?
- Retirement can remove identity, structure and daily social contact all at once. A meta-analysis cited by Life Coaching Certification found 28% of retirees experience depression, with a 40% spike in self-reported depression during the first years after retiring. Anyone with persistent low mood should talk with a doctor or licensed therapist.
- How do caregiving duties affect retirement?
- Caregiving can strain retirement finances. The EBRI 2026 Retirement Confidence Survey found 34% of caregivers had less than $10,000 in savings and investments, compared with 25% of non-caregivers, and 61% of caregivers were female compared with 47% of non-caregivers. Coaching can help you plan time and energy; a financial planner addresses the money.
- How much does a retirement coach cost?
- Retirement coaching prices vary widely. The AARP article “Do You Need a Retirement Coach?” quotes rates from about $125 to $150 an hour up to $800 to $1,000 per hour in major cities such as Boston, Miami or San Francisco. Life Coaching Certification reports that retirement coaches typically charge $150 to $300 per session.
- What does research-informed mean for Preferment?
- Rarified Life describes Preferment as research-informed. The site does not list the specific studies behind each module, so if sources matter to you, ask Rarified Life through its website. Published studies on retirement do show why the non-financial side matters, and several are collected with their sources on our by-the-numbers page.
A good next step
The free Rarified Life presentation walks through a 5-step plan for replacing the “what now?” feeling about retirement. It is made for accomplished women in their 50s and 60s who are nearing or in retirement, and you can watch it after a short registration.