Book ~ "Thrive in Retirement: Simple Secrets for Being Happy for the Rest of Your Life" (2019) Eric Thurman

From Goodreads ~ Never before in human history have so many people lived for decades beyond their working years. 10,000 Americans turn 65 each day and their average life expectancy is another 20 years - and many will live longer. But will they just live or have a meaningful life? 

The truth is that many - if not most - people approaching the latter years do not have a plan, much less a strategy to thrive instead of just survive.

Packed with information based on research as well as common-sense wisdom, here are some examples of what readers will discover: 

• How retiring at the wrong time increases the likelihood of dying 89%
• What can delay Alzheimer's onset an average of 9 years
• How everything that makes you happy comes in just 3 forms
• Which partner is most likely to initiate divorce after decades of marriage and why

I work in the retirement industry so when I come across books about retirement and planning for retirement, I'm usually interested in reading them.

The author is in his early seventies and in the third and final season of his life (ie retirement) after working for international charities as CEO, so it's obvious he has a big heart.  The other two "primary seasons", by the way, are childhood and adulthood.  He doesn't claim to be a professional ... he's just offering advice as a friend.

This book doesn't cover anything financial ... retirement plans, government plans, investing, etc.  The goal is to show you how to be happy in retirement since for most of us, it is a big change in our lives.

The chapters include:

1. A surprising new stage of life
2. Life's five vital parts - mind, body, relationships, soul and finances
3. Three secrets of happiness - purpose, pleasure and peace
4. The best secret
5. Set your mind free
6. Strengthen your mind
7. More than looking good
8. The best ending possible
9. Never be lonely
10. The mystery and power of soul - the importance of religion
11. Make peace with money
12. Live happily ever after

There are appendices to help organize you to clarify your final personal wishes and leave good memories for the people you love.

For the most part, I liked this book.  There were lots of interesting stats, inspiring quotes, websites to check out and stories about real people who did amazing things when they were older.  What I wasn't into was the religious parts.  I'm sure many find comfort and have an interest in this information but I skipped over chapter 10 and most references to God, etc. that were throughout the book (it started about a quarter of the way into the book).  It's fine that the author is into religion but that part wasn't for me.