Have you ever read any of those pregnancy or child-development books—like What to Expect When You’re Expecting or Louise Bates Ames’s series on young children—and thought, “That’s never going to happen to me or my kids”? I know I did. (Think hemorrhoids and biting classmates—ouch!) Yet, as life progressed, I realized most of those predicted milestones ended up being surprisingly accurate. Well, it turns out there’s a similar framework for retirement, and it’s probably more realistic than we’d like to admit.

1. The Go-Go Years (Early Retirement)

Active Lifestyle
In the Go-Go phase, you’re still rocking it and have the energy to tackle adventures—travel, racket games, gardening, or starting that new fitness routine. Many retirees find themselves checking items off their bucket lists because they finally have both the time and the physical ability.
Spending on Experiences
Spending money on experiences and hobbies you might not have indulged in before is natural. After all, you’ve worked hard—why not enjoy it?
Optimistic Outlook
Like a new parent swearing their baby will never cry all night, you might think you’ll always have boundless energy. So go ahead and savor it while you do!

Takeaway: These early retirement years are prime time if you’ve been waiting to pick up a new hobby or take that dream trip. Don’t let them slip by thinking you’ll always feel this energetic.

2. The Slow-Go Years (Around 75–85)

Reduced Pace
Like realizing your child actually will throw tantrums at some point, you may find your body and mind slowing in your mid-to-late 70s. You can still travel, enjoy hobbies, and stay social—just perhaps at a more relaxed pace.
Adjusting Priorities
Although you might spend less on big-ticket travel, you’ll still want to stay active. You may shift to pursuits that don’t require as much stamina or mobility—maybe local trips instead of international getaways, or gentler forms of exercise.
Practical Mindset
You’ll likely be more aware of your energy levels and healthcare needs. That doesn’t mean the fun stops; it just means tweaking expectations to match your abilities.

Takeaway: Slowing down isn’t “giving up.” It’s natural and often grants you the freedom to relish more low-key pursuits. Embrace the gradual change instead of fighting it.

3. The No-Go Years (Around 85 and Older)

Significant Lifestyle Changes
During the No-Go phase, many people find it harder to travel or continue physically demanding activities. Your world may become smaller, centered around home or local outings.
Shifting Responsibilities
Healthcare needs often increase, and you might rely on family members or professionals for day-to-day help.
Emotional Realities
Adapting to new limitations can be challenging. However, it can also bring a focus on simpler pleasures—like a quiet evening with family or a well-loved hobby you can still do at home.

Takeaway: Acceptance is key here. Recognizing that this stage might come—just like we eventually accepted that, yes, our toddler really might bite someone—allows you to face it with dignity and preparedness.

Acknowledging These Stages (Even If You Don’t Want To)

Just like how those child development books kept being right about everything from teething to tantrums, these three retirement stages seem pretty spot on, too. Sure, there are always outliers—those who backpack through Europe at 88 or need a walker at 60—but on the whole, these phases seem true from what I’ve witnessed.

Why It Matters

Reality Check
Knowing what’s ahead can help you enjoy the current moment more. The more you appreciate your Go-Go years now, the less regret you’ll feel later.
Healthy Acceptance
We can’t outrun time. Accepting that your future self may have different needs doesn’t mean you’re giving up on fun; it means you’re wise enough to plan for shifts in energy and focus.
In-the-Moment Joy
Embracing these stages—and the changes they bring—lets you savor each one fully. There’s nothing worse than realizing you missed out because you believed you’d be in your Go-Go phase forever.

Seizing the Go-Go Moment Right Now

Don't let fear of future limitations hold you back if you’re in your Go-Go years (or even if you’re just looking ahead to them). When I worry I might be overdoing it on travel or new hobbies, I remind myself that these are my Go-Go years—this is the window to live it up.

Remember those pregnancy guides urging you to rest while you can because sleepless nights are coming? In the same way, it’s smart to recognize that your boundless energy may not last forever. Now is the time to do the things you’ve been postponing.

How Do You Feel About These Retirement Phases?

Motivated to do more right now?
Tempted to shrug it off and hope you’ll always be the exception?
Somewhere in between?

No one can say exactly how you’ll age, but most of us follow a path that resembles the Go-Go, Slow-Go, and No-Go patterns. Acknowledging that reality—without letting it limit us—can be incredibly freeing. After all, the best part of any life stage is living it as fully as possible.

Final Thoughts

The truth is, life transitions are often more predictable than we think—whether you’re talking about babies getting colicky or retirees slowing down. Recognizing these phases of retirement helps you embrace the present with open eyes. You don’t have to lose sight of the future, but you also don’t want to wait too long to do what brings you joy right now.

Three Stages of Retirement: Go-Go, Slow-Go, and No-Go