The framework
Preferment: a framework for rethinking retirement
Last updated: November 2026
What is the Preferment framework?
Preferment is the Rarified Life framework for treating retirement as a step up rather than an ending.
Rarified Life describes Preferment as a research-informed framework and life platform. It helps people rethink retirement and shape an active, purpose-driven next chapter by aligning plans with personal values and cultivating meaningful pursuits. It moves through six modules, taught through Anne van Leynseele's book and live course.
New here? Start with the Rarified Life retirement coach overview, then come back to this page.
Why call it Preferment instead of retirement?
Preferment is an old word for advancement or promotion. Rarified Life chose it on purpose. Its message is simple: ditch retirement, try Preferment instead. Where “retirement” suggests withdrawal, the Preferment course asks driven people to treat the end of a career like an ascension.
The framework is written for people who spent decades building something, a career, a reputation, a way of moving through the world, and now find themselves with more time than they have ever had and no clear idea of what it is for.
What are the six Preferment modules?
The modules run in a fixed order. Each depends on the one before it, which is why the course moves week by week rather than letting you skip ahead.
Introduction
Where you are right now, and why the old model of retirement was never built for someone like you.
Identity
Separating who you are from what you did for a living.
Motivation
Finding what actually moves you, now that a paycheck is not the reason.
Alignment
Matching your values and strengths to how you will actually spend your days.
Accountability
Building the structure that turns intention into a lived routine.
Launch
Naming your mission for this next chapter, and stepping into it.
The old model of retirement vs Preferment
| Question | Traditional retirement | Preferment (Rarified Life) |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | An ending: the day work stops | An advancement into an active next chapter |
| What is the plan? | Mostly financial | Values, strengths, motivation and a named mission |
| What fills the days? | Whatever arrives | Pursuits chosen to match your values |
| What is identity based on? | What you used to do | Who you are, apart from your work |
What does research-informed mean here?
Rarified Life describes Preferment as research-informed. The site does not list the specific studies behind each module, and we will not invent them. What published research does show is why the personal side of retirement deserves attention: a meta-analysis cited by Life Coaching Certification reports that 28% of retirees experience depression, with a 40% spike in the first years after retiring. See the sourced statistics.
Where Preferment lives: book, course and platform
- The book. Preferment, by Anne van Leynseele, is the companion text and workbook, with homework built in.
- The live course. Eight weekly live sessions with Anne, working through the book chapter by chapter. See the course details.
- One-on-one coaching. Listed as coming soon on the Rarified Life website.
- The free presentation. A 5-step plan for accomplished women in their 50s and 60s who are nearing or in retirement.
Common questions
- What is Preferment?
- Preferment is the Rarified Life research-informed framework and life platform for rethinking retirement. Instead of treating retirement as an ending, it treats the next chapter as an active, purpose-driven stage. It moves through six modules, Introduction, Identity, Motivation, Alignment, Accountability and Launch, and is taught through Anne van Leynseele’s book and live course.
- What are the six modules of Preferment?
- Introduction covers where you are now and why the old model of retirement does not fit. Identity separates who you are from what you did. Motivation finds what moves you without a paycheck. Alignment matches values and strengths to your days. Accountability builds structure. Launch names your mission for the next chapter.
- 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.
- What happens in the Launch module?
- Launch is the sixth and final Preferment module. It is where you name your mission for the next chapter and step into it, after the earlier modules have worked through identity, motivation, alignment and accountability. It turns eight weeks of reflection and homework into a clear starting point.
- How is Preferment different from other retirement coaching programs?
- Preferment reframes retirement as an ascension rather than an ending, and teaches it through a book-based, eight-week live course with set homework. It is led by Anne van Leynseele, whose own path includes four career reinventions. Other programs use different frameworks and formats, so compare structure, length and price on the same terms.
- What is the Preferment book?
- Preferment is the book by Anne van Leynseele that the 8-week course is built on. It serves as the companion text and workbook for the course, with homework built in, and it is included with enrollment. The Rarified Life website also lists books in its shop; check rarifiedlife.com for current availability.
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.