Our Mission
Most retirement planning focuses on money. PHASE Into Retirement is different. We focus on life.
Retirement sits in the cultural imagination as both a promise and a paradox. The promise is freedom—an escape from alarm clocks, deadlines, and the perpetual rhythm of obligation. The paradox is what arrives when that freedom actually comes.
People spend decades thinking about what they want less of: less work, less stress, less pressure. But very few spend meaningful time imagining what they want more of—more purpose, more connection, more learning, more momentum, more joy.
The PHASE assessment helps answer a question many people quietly carry as retirement approaches: “Am I ready for what comes next?”
“Money makes retirement possible. Purpose, health, connection, and structure make it fulfilling.”
— The PHASE™ Philosophy
Why This Matters
Research across decades confirms that non-financial factors are the strongest predictors of retirement satisfaction.
20-30
Years
Average time spent in retirement
40%
Of Retirees
Experience depression in year one
5x
More Likely
To thrive with strong purpose
The PHASE™framework synthesizes insights from the Harvard Study of Adult Development, the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, Boston College's Center for Retirement Research, the US National Health Interview Survey, and decades of research in gerontology, psychology, and behavioral science.
See PHASE™ in Action
Watch this short video to understand how the PHASE Into Retirement™ framework helps you prepare for a fulfilling retirement.
The PHASE™ Framework
PHASE Into Retirement™guides you through the five non-financial dimensions that predict whether retirement becomes a season of flourishing or simply fading. These dimensions form a living ecosystem—each one strengthening and supporting the others.
P — Purpose
Meaning and identity beyond work. The compass that gives direction to your days and answers: "Who am I now?"
H — Health
Physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The engine that lets you follow your purpose and engage fully with life.
A — Activities
Hobbies, learning, and creative pursuits. The interests that give texture to time and bring retirement to life.
E — Everyday
Routines, structure, and daily rhythm. The backbone that keeps retirement grounded and purposeful.
Three Steps to Clarity
Purchase your assessment, then spend less than 15 minutes in honest reflection across all five PHASE dimensions.
Take the Full Assessment
Answer 50 research-backed questions across all five PHASE dimensions, at your own pace.
Get Your Readiness Score
See where you stand on a clear, research-backed scale. Understand your strengths and the areas where focused attention could make a real difference.
Take Action
Receive your full report, educational insights, practical tips, and your free 88-page PHASE Into Retirement™ Field Guide.
Understanding Your Score
Each dimension is scored on a 10–100 scale based on your responses. Your score falls into one of four readiness bands:
Foundation (10–40)
This area needs attention. Focused effort here can make a significant difference.
Growing (41–60)
You have a base to build on. Small, consistent steps will strengthen this dimension.
Stride (61–80)
You are in a strong position. Continue what you are doing and fine-tune as needed.
Freedom (81–100)
Excellent. This area is a real strength. You can help and inspire others here.
Built on Research, Not Opinion
The PHASE™ framework is grounded in findings from some of the most comprehensive studies of aging and life satisfaction ever conducted, including the Harvard Study of Adult Development, the Canadian Longitudinal Study of Aging, and Boston College’s Center for Retirement Research.
Every question in the assessment maps to validated research on what predicts well-being in retirement.
Our Philosophy
You cannot “accidentally” create the retirement you want. You must design it—not all at once, but gradually, intentionally, and with compassion for yourself as you navigate this significant life transition.
PHASE™does not prescribe a “right” way to retire. Instead, it encourages reflection and intentional choices—small, manageable steps that align retirement with the life you want to live.
Retirement does not demand perfection. It asks for intention.
Your next years can be among the richest, most meaningful, and most joyful you have ever lived—not by chance, but by design.
“Until now, I hadn’t really conceptualized my own retirement—it was always something I talked about in the context of other people. Reading my report, it echoed concerns I already had but put them into sharper focus. I know what I should focus on now.”
— Andrea Adams, Owner & Senior HR Consultant, The HR Hub
“PHASE is an excellent organizing tool to plan the rest of retirement, outside of the money questions. It was extremely helpful bringing focus to getting ready for retirement.”
— Mark, Retiring CEO, Construction Products
The Team Behind PHASE™
Decades of research, technology, and real-world expertise — purpose-built for retirement readiness.
Cam Marston
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
Nationally recognized generational and workplace expert, author of five books, and speaker who has spent over two decades advising organizations on how people navigate change. Host of the podcast What's Working with Cam Marston. B.A., Tulane University.
Gerald Bierling
Co-Founder & Head of Research
Designed the statistical methodology behind the PHASE Into Retirement™ assessment. Nearly 30 years teaching research methods and statistics at McMaster University, with over 25 years as a research and statistical analysis consultant specializing in demographic change and survey design.
Kai Gray
Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer
Built the PHASE Into Retirement platform from the ground up and leads development of Grace AI™, the engine that delivers personalized retirement readiness insights. Over two decades of software development experience. M.Eng.M., Tufts University; B.S., Boston University.
Dr. Taylor Gray
Co-Founder & Research Fellow
Supports the research foundation and data analysis behind the PHASE™ assessment. Fellow at the University of New Brunswick's Faculty of Management and published researcher in peer-reviewed journals. D.Phil. in Economic Geography, University of Oxford (Clarendon Scholar).
Ready to See Where You Stand?
Answer 50 research-backed questions across all five PHASE dimensions. Get your full report in less than 15 minutes.
Take the Assessment