Facing the Fears of Retirement The day you retire, you're finished -) AR you're dead. This simple, widely believed statement was uttered often by a 77-year-old business founder even before he came out of retirement and took back control of the firm from his son. For many, retirement from the business they built seems a matter of life and death. No wonder so few have the courage or the inclination to face it. This fear of retirement often shows up early in unwillingness or inability to engage in succession planning. We find three prevalent beliefs held by those who cannot conclude- or even begin- succession planning ●“ Retirement scares me.” ●“ We could lose it all. ●“ This business is who/anFacing the Fears of Retirement “The day you retire, you're finished — you’re dead.” This simple, widely believed statement was uttered often by a 77-year-old business founder even before he came out of retirement and took back control of the firm from his son. For many, retirement from the business they built seems a matter of life and death. No wonder so few have the courage or the inclination to face it. This fear of retirement often shows up early in unwillingness or inability to engage in succession planning. We find three prevalent beliefs held by those who cannot conclude — or even begin — succession planning: ⚫ “Retirement scares me.” ⚫ “We could lose it all.” ⚫ “This business is who I am