'Tine Zekis | Founder & CEO, Getting Black Women Paid
I help Black women professionals advance their careers, dramatically increase their lifetime earning potential, and build generational wealth. Sign up for my newsletter to learn more!
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Before the Paychecks Stop: What Retirement Really Takes
When most of us think about retirement, we think money—savings, investments, and whether the nest egg will be enough. But here’s what often gets overlooked: the non-financial side.
High-achieving Black women, in particular, spend their lives excelling, leading, and carrying the weight of family, community, and workplace responsibilities. That grind becomes part of our identity. So when the paychecks stop, it’s not unusual to feel a sense of loss—loss of title, purpose, and even daily structure.
Retirement isn’t just about whether you can afford it—it’s about who you want to be in this new chapter. After years of doing for everyone else, how will you center joy, creativity, and rest for yourself? How will you rebuild routines that feed your spirit instead of draining it?
Here are three areas Black women should reflect on before retirement begins:
Identity Beyond the Career Work often becomes shorthand for who we are. Consider what lights you up outside of titles and résumés. Is it mentoring? Volunteering? Returning to an old passion like painting, gardening, or travel?
Community & Connection Many Black women experience “retirement isolation” when work friends fade and social circles shrink. Building intentional community—through sororities, faith groups, neighborhood networks, or new hobbies—keeps loneliness at bay.
Health & Wholeness Retirement can be a time to finally put you first. Prioritize wellness checks, mental health, and stress-free living. Movement, rest, and joy are just as important as financial stability.
The truth is, planning for the emotional and lifestyle shifts can be just as critical as planning for money. Think of retirement not as an ending, but as a rebirth—a season where you get to define freedom on your terms.
Because yes, the financials matter. But a fulfilling retirement is about much more than budgets and bank accounts. It’s about envisioning a future that sustains your spirit, honors your legacy, and allows you to live fully in the chapters still ahead.
Best, 'Tine
P.S.🔥 Don’t miss this week’s episode of the Getting Black Women Paid Podcast! Lisa Haynes shares what every high-achieving Black woman needs to prepare for—not just financially, but emotionally and mentally—before stepping into retirement.
In this article, The Retirement Gap: Why Saving For The Future Is Harder For Black Americans by Shannon Dawson: An in-depth look at how debt, housing costs, health challenges, and limited access to financial advice widen the racial retirement gap, while also offering practical steps and resources Black communities can use to build long-term security.
Black woman reviewing personal finance app dashboard
Despite rising incomes, many Black Americans continue to face major hurdles when it comes to saving for retirement, according to the 2025 Retirement Confidence Survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute.
Check out this week’s podcast, The Non-Financial Side of Retirement: What High-Achieving Black Women Need to Know Before the Paychecks Stop (with Lisa Haynes). In this conversation, Lisa shares the overlooked challenges of retirement and how to prepare for a fulfilling life beyond your career.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or check it out here.
Prefer video? You can WATCH the podcast on our YouTube channel here.
Claim Yours Tip of the Week
Plan Beyond the Numbers
This week, think about what retirement means to you outside of money. Write down one way you’d like to spend your time—whether it’s mentoring, traveling, creating, or simply resting. Building this vision now makes the transition smoother later.
What's Going on with 'Tine?
Let’s Talk About Your Income Goals! Did you know you can book a Complimentary 45-minute Income Elevation Discovery Call with 'Tine? Whether you're looking to advance in your career, grow your business, or both, this call is designed to help you gain clarity on your income goals and the best next steps to achieve them. Together, we’ll define your objectives, identify challenges, and explore strategies to help you increase your earnings—without burnout. 🔗 Let’s chat! Grab your free session now:
'Tine Zekis | Founder & CEO, Getting Black Women Paid
I help Black women professionals advance their careers, dramatically increase their lifetime earning potential, and build generational wealth. Sign up for my newsletter to learn more!
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