What's your retirement personality? 5 questions to help you picture life after work 

Many Australians worry about retirement. Will they have enough money? Will their savings last? Will they know what to do once work is no longer part of their identity? 

Those concerns are completely understandable. But before you can work out how much retirement might cost, it helps to picture something else: 

What kind of retirement are you actually planning for? 

Dr Jon Glass, retirement coach and founder of 64PLUS, points out that retirement is a transition. "Crossing the bridge from work to retirement takes you to unknown territory -- what am I leaving behind and what am I taking with me?" he says. "To me, constructing meaning is the primary act of importance on the other side of the bridge."

To find this Dr Glass uses the Japanese word ikigai – which means the reason to get up in the morning. "If you haven't quite worked out what your meaning, purpose and passion is, you can find yourself getting bored very quickly." 

For some people, the meaning will be found in finally having the freedom to travel. For others, it's creating a peaceful sanctuary at home. Some want to spend more time with family or join a like-minded community. Others are dreaming of pursuing a passion they've never had enough time to pursue. 

The life you want after work can shape everything from spending patterns and priorities to retirement income needs. So before you start worrying about budgets, super balances and calculators, this simple exercise can give you more confidence in what you actually want from retirement. 

Take our quick, five-question quiz, and for each question, note whether you choose mostly A, B, C or D answers. At the end, you'll discover which retirement personality sounds most like you. 

Question 1: It's Monday morning, one year after retiring. What feels most rewarding? 

A. Planning my next trip or adventure 
B. Enjoying a slow morning at home and setting my own pace for the day 
C. Catching up with family, volunteering or helping someone who needs me 
D. Spending uninterrupted time on a project, passion or hobby 

Question 2: If you think about retirement today, what fear feels most familiar? 

A. Missing out on experiences because I become too cautious with my money 
B. Rising costs making it harder to maintain my lifestyle 
C. Not being able to support the people I care about if they need me 
D. Not having enough time, money or energy to pursue the things I care about 

Question 3: You receive a surprise $20,000. What are you most likely to do? 

A. Book the trip I've always wanted to take 
B. Invest it in my home or lifestyle 
C. Help family or create a special shared experience 
D. Put it towards equipment, lessons or something related to my passion 

Question 4: What would make retirement feel successful to you? 

A. Having stories and experiences I never would have had otherwise 
B. Feeling comfortable, secure and content 
C. Knowing I've made a difference to others 
D. Becoming really good at something I love 

Question 5: What would you like retirement to give you more of? 

A. Freedom 
B. Peace of mind 
C. Purpose 
D. Progress 

The results: What is your retirement personality? 

Mostly As – You're an Adventurer 

For you, retirement is an opportunity to explore what's possible and make the most of your independence. 

You see this chapter as a chance to explore, travel and experience the things you've spent years putting off. 

"Retirement may last 10,000 days – roughly 30 years – it's a long time," says Dr Glass. "But the beauty of these 10,000 days of retirement is you've got heaps of time to think about yourself, and you can take many different directions and construct a portfolio of life for yourself where you engage in many activities." 

What this could mean financially: Many Adventurers spend more in the earlier years of retirement while they're healthy and active. Flexibility is often important, as is making sure spending today doesn't come at the expense of freedom later on. 

Read next: Feeling unsure about retirement? Here's where to start

Mostly Bs – You're a Sanctuary Seeker 

For you, fulfilment comes from feeling comfortable, connected and content. 

You value security and having the time to fully appreciate home, family and simpler pleasures. 

"Understanding your identity is critical," says Dr Glass. "I had a client who just didn't know what he would be once he retired. After talking it through, he realised that, given that his wife was still working and they had a big house with a pool and a garden, he'd become the estate manager of the property. He would look after everything on the home front and he was so proud of that." 

What this could mean financially: Sanctuary Seekers often prioritise stability and peace of mind. Long-term income, inflation and maintaining the family home can become important considerations. 

Read next: What income for life means for retirement

Mostly Cs – You're a Community Builder 

You find purpose in people. Staying connected and making a difference to those around you is what makes this next chapter meaningful. 

Retirement isn't about stepping back. It's about showing up differently for family, friends and your community. 

According to Dr Glass, a lot of retirees start to feel irrelevant, and not useful to others, once they stop working. "I teach ethics at the local primary school. I feel I'm being useful to my community, and the added benefit, is that there's a social group of the ethics teachers and we go for coffee and a chat after class every week, and that is so good," he says. 

What this could mean financially: Community Builders often prioritise generosity, shared experiences and helping the people around them. Balancing those goals with their own long-term needs can become an important part of retirement planning. 

Read next: How retirement income works in Australia – and where it comes from

Mostly Ds – You're a Lifelong Learner 

For you, retirement isn't about slowing down. It's about finally having the time to go deeper.  

“If you want to write, don't just get a pen and a piece of paper, take a course, learn about it, study it, get to grips with it. If you want to dance, take a class,” Dr Glass suggests. 

Whether it's improving your golf game, learning a language, mastering photography or taking up a completely new hobby, you're energised by growth and discovering new ways to challenge yourself. 

What this could mean financially: Lifelong Learners are often happy to spend selectively on the things they care about most. Planning for hobbies, equipment, memberships and long-term projects can become part of the picture. 

Read next: Why most retirees use more than one income source

What if you're a mix? 

Most people are. You might be a Sanctuary Seeker who still wants the occasional adventure. Or an Adventurer who's passionate about volunteering. The point isn't to fit neatly into a category, it's to start thinking about the life you're planning for.  

Dr Glass says whatever camp you belong to, it's important to stay flexible. "If you started off with one way of leading your life and it doesn't work for you, then move on to something else." 

Once you understand the retirement lifestyle that appeals to you, it becomes much easier to think about how your income, super and other savings could support it.