Relevance deprivation syndrome and planning for purpose in retirement
Work has likely taken up a big part of your life, and not just in terms of time. It can also help shape the routines, goals and connections that support your sense of identity and purpose.
When you retire, and work is no longer a big part of your life, you may lose some of the structure and direction it brought to your days.
This loss can lead to a set of feelings known as relevance deprivation syndrome. Read on to learn how it can affect retirees and practical ways you can plan for routine, purpose and connection in retirement.
What is relevance deprivation syndrome?
Relevance deprivation syndrome describes feelings or thoughts of distress that some people may experience when they retire.
The term was originally used by Gareth Evans, a former Australian minister, to describe how some politicians felt after leaving public office and losing their sense of influence.
Today, the term is also used to describe the experience of some retirees who miss the things work provided, including:
- Daily structure
- Social connections
- Intellectual challenges
- External validation
- A sense of purpose and achievement
Without these familiar parts of working life, some retirees may feel like they have nothing to contribute. This can diminish their confidence and make it harder to stay engaged in daily life.
Retirement may end up feeling vast, uncertain and ultimately unfulfilling.1
Ways to prevent or manage relevance deprivation syndrome
Here are five tips on planning your time, staying connected and finding purpose in retirement.
Strengthen connections beyond work
You can think of your identity as being made up of many different parts – shaped by the groups, relationships, organisations and activities you’re involved with.
For example, depending on your personal and professional circumstances, you might identify as a recreational netball player, a public servant and a good friend.
Research suggests that maintaining existing connections while building new ones in retirement can provide a sense of stability while creating new opportunities to belong.2
Start building your non-work life before you retire
Alongside planning your finances for retirement, consider doing some ‘lifestyle planning’ too.
Lifestyle planning doesn’t have to be formal, as it’s different for everyone. It could mean reflecting on activities you’ve always enjoyed but never had time for, or the things that satisfy you most outside of work – whether that’s friends, family, learning or travel.
Starting to explore or prioritise these interests before you retire can help make the transition easier.3
Maintain routine and structure
Having fewer commitments may initially feel freeing, but research shows that many retirees struggle with boredom and uncertainty about how to spend their time.4
Retirement is a major life change. Having consistent daily and weekly routines can provide comfort and continuity as you adjust to life beyond work.3
Even a loose structure, like morning walks three times a week or a family dinner on Sunday nights, can support your wellbeing.3
Set goals for yourself
Work may have given you regular opportunities to set goals, solve problems and develop your skills.
Setting personal goals in retirement can provide a similar sense of direction while helping you find new ways to pursue what you value.5 For example, if you valued learning new things at work, you might set a goal to learn a new language or take a creative writing class.
Keep your goals flexible and realistic, particularly while you’re adjusting to retirement.3
Continue contributing in meaningful ways
In general, meaningful activities are those that allow you to express your talents and values,6 or reflect the legacy you want to leave.3
Maybe you want to be remembered as someone who enjoyed photography, spent a lot of time with family, or mentored others and gave back to the community.
Pursuing meaningful activities, no matter what form they take, can give you something to look forward to and contribute to a fulfilling retirement.6
A member’s perspective on planning for purpose
We spoke to a GESB member, Natalie, who is planning to retire in the next few years. We asked Natalie what she will miss most about work, what she is looking forward to in retirement, and how she plans to maintain her sense of purpose, identity and connection.
I will definitely miss the people and social aspects of work. I will also miss contributing to something worthwhile and being useful – work gives me a purpose.
In retirement, I’d like to spend time with friends and family and get more involved in things at a community level. I want to participate in things that add value to the community and give me purpose – for example, doing some free financial counselling and other volunteering.
I am looking forward to travelling overseas and extensively in Australia, finding hobbies, and having time to relax and do things I enjoy like walks and swims at the beach, learning new things and getting another dog.
I have so much planned, I don’t think I will be missing working.
Next steps
Visit our Living well in retirement page for more tips on maintaining purpose, identity and connection in retirement.
One way you could start building your non-work life before you retire is by easing into retirement using a transition to retirement strategy. Learn more about transition to retirement and whether it could be right for you.
More information
- Book in to one of our Retirement planning seminars or webinars to learn the basics of retirement planning.
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1 Ayse Yemiscigil, Nattavudh Powdthavee and Ashley V. Whillans, The Effects of Retirement on Sense of Purpose in Life: Crisis or Opportunity?, 1 November 2021, accessed 22 October 2026
2 Catherine Haslam et al.,A longitudinal examination of the role of social identity in supporting health and well-being in retirement, 12 June 2023, accessed 22 October 2026
3 Anabel Ternès von Hattburg and Helen Taylor, Retirement: A Gateway to Fulfillment or Pitfall – The Crucial Role of Vision, Rituals, Nutrition, Planning, and Routines, 22 July 2025, accessed 22 October 2026
4 Susan L. Hutchinson, Lifestyle Planning in the Transition to Retirement, 2024, accessed 22 October 2026
5 Lisa M. Viegas, Christina Bermeitinger and Werner Greve, Flexible Goal Adjustment Predicts Well-Being Before and After Retirement, 30 December 2025, accessed 22 October 2026
6 Ayse Yemiscigil, Nattavudh Powdthavee and Ashley V. Whillans, The Effects of Retirement on Sense of Purpose in Life: Crisis or Opportunity?, 1 November 2021, accessed 22 October 2026
Thank you for printing this page. Remember to come back to gesb.wa.gov.au for the latest information as our content is updated regularly. This information is correct as at 04 November 2026.