"I was very scared," Brazina says. "My whole identity was wrapped up in my career and the groups I volunteered for. All of those things were sort of my clothing."

Brazina's experience is not unusual. As baby boomers enter their retirement years, many of them discover that a fulfilling retirement requires planning, and that having a financial plan is not enough.

"People who are working and contemplating retirement need to figure out how to replace the benefits we get from work that go beyond the paycheck," says Joe Casey, managing partner of Retirement Wisdom, a coaching group based in Princeton, N.J. "Things like purpose, identity, who we are … connections with people. We take them for granted when they're there. But when they're not, you start noticing."

Retirement surprises people in part, says Casey, because they put much less time into the non-financial side of retirement planning. “It's easier to defer," he says. "People think 'How hard can retirement be? I'll get to that later.' When it comes up, it can be a big surprise."

The key, Casey and other experts say, is to design your ideal retirement — before you retire.

Creating a happiness portfolio

Marianne Oehser, a retirement coach and author, suggests soon-to-be retirees create what she calls a happiness portfolio. In her coaching practice and in her book Your Happiness Portfolio for Retirement: It’s Not About the Money!, she covers eight essentials that retirees should plan for and nurture:

• Professional: Do you want to include some type of work in your life? It doesn't necessarily need to be full-time, or even in your original field.
• Primary relationship: Retirement changes relationships, and none more profoundly than the one with your life partner or other primary relationship.
• Family and friends: There's a strong link between social connections and physical and mental health. But often people don't realize how many of their connections came from work and that they'll need to be replaced in retirement.
• Giving back: Giving your time and talents to a cause you're interested in can help you feel that you're still making a difference.
• Health and aging: Scientific research clearly shows that our health is directly and significantly impacted by exercise, diet and attitude. Fortunately, retirement gives you more time to focus on all three.
• Leisure: This includes not only recreation, relaxation and downtime, but also rewarding project-based activities.
• Self-development: Opportunities abound to continue developing your character, knowledge and abilities.
• Spirituality and religion: Consider whether you're satisfied with the spiritual aspect of your life or if you would like to improve it. Several studies link religious activity with positive health outcomes.

Find your purpose

The first question Casey suggests people ask themselves is "Who do I want to be in this next chapter?" While many of us think of retirement itself as the next chapter, it's really more like a book, with multiple chapters. Also, don't worry about planning your entire retirement because that could be overwhelming. Instead, ask "What’s next?"

Oehser puts it this way: Figure out who you are today. What's your personality? What are your interests you never had the chance to pursue? Then ask what skills you have that you might sharpen in a different way. What motivates you? Don't limit yourself. This is how you create your purpose.

"People who say they have a sense of purpose live at least seven years longer than those who do not," Oehser states. "Purpose is as important to human beings as food and water."

Wellness and lifelong learning

Wellness is another key factor to focus on, especially early in retirement, say both Casey and Oehser. Numerous studies over the last 20 years show clearly that lifestyle, attitude and exercise — or, as Oehser says, "the choices we make every day" — all play a pivotal role in mental and physical aging.

In addition, don't forget lifelong learning, new technology and seeking out new ways of doing things, Casey advises. "There's a whole new world that's available. It's so much easier than ever with online learning. You can tap into all kinds of learning and skills," he says. One of his clients took a cooking class and loved it so much that he enrolled in a culinary institute. "He went not to become a chef, but to cook better," Casey says. "Learning things can spark new directions. It can really open up all kinds of new possibilities."

"Give yourself permission to have some time to explore and make mistakes," Casey adds. "You've earned it."

Author your new life

Brazina learned how to move away from mourning the life she was leaving behind and to embrace her "second life" in retirement. She joined a local speech and communication club, wrote a children's book, took acting lessons, and performed in in a variety of productions. She's even been paid for commercial work. And she was invited to join a storytelling group that performs at local theaters and teahouses.

By actively designing her ideal retirement, Brazina has realized that her terrifying, naked feeling was really the opportunity to pick out new clothes. "My new perspective," says Brazina, "is what do I want to wear today? What do I want to eat today? What do I want to be today?

"Retirement turned out better than I ever could have expected. I'm having a ball. It's just so much fun."

Registered Representatives offer securities through Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisor Representatives offer advisory services through Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc.