After more than two decades researching how Australians adjust to retirement, Earl believes we’re getting better at preparing financially for life after work. Retirement has become a personal journey For decades, retirement followed a fairly predictable path. According to Earl, retirement is increasingly shaped by a combination of financial realities, improved health and changing expectations about what later life should look like. “We’re not talking about people developing this work identity when they’re 60. For many, retirement won’t arrive with a clear finish line at all.