About the Authors

Dorian Mintzer

Roberta K. Taylor

Dorian Mintzer, M.S.W., Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist, career/life transition coach, executive coach and speaker. She is a licensed third age coach and a 2Young2Retire certified facilitator. She facilitates workshops and speaks to community and professional groups on topics related to mid-life issues. She is founder of the Boomers and Beyond special Interest group for Interdisciplinary professionals. She utilizes her life experiences and expertise in adult development and holistic life planning in her work with helping individuals and couples navigate the second half of life.

Roberta K. Taylor, RNCS, M.Ed., is a licensed psychotherapist, career/life transition coach, and couples relationship coaching specialist. A member of the National Speakers Association, she facilitates workshops and speaks to professional and community organizations on topics related to midlife and retirement transition. She brings her expertise in adult development and life planning, as well as her own life experience, to working with individuals and couples facing the challenges and opportunities in the second half of life. She believes that couples do best when they think ahead and plan together.

From the beginning of our work in the ‘powerful aging’ movement 11 years ago, we have noticed time and again couples out of alignment when one or both are transitioning from full time work to their next chapter. We are delighted that Roberta Taylor and Dorian Mintzer, both experienced professionals and 2Young2Retire Certified Facilitators, have taken on this important project. The Couple’s Retirement Puzzle is a much needed resource.

Marika & Howard Stone
co-founders, www.2Young2Retire.com, and co-authors, Too Young to Retire:
101 Ways to Start the Rest of Your Life

The prospect of retirement can be daunting for any one person. The puzzle becomes even more complex with couples. Surprisingly, there are precious few resources available for couples seeking help in figuring out how to address the many pieces of the puzzle together. I cannot think of better puzzle masters than Roberta Taylor and Dori Mintzer. The Couples Retirement Puzzle is a treasure trove of practical wisdom for those just beginning the journey and even for those who have already stepped into it.

Fred Mandell, Ph.D.
Co-author with Kathy Jordan, Ph.D. of Becoming a Life Change Artist; Seven Creative Skills That Can Transform Your Life (Penguin Putnam Avery, Fall, 2010)

While we may have explored some ideas for the future individually, the experience of Roberta's and Dori's focus group and seminar inspired us to begin communicating as a couple about our plans for retirement. They provided the jump start we needed to get this process started.

Scott and Corinne Schillin

In the past three years I've taught Lifelong Learning courses using my book, Changing Course as a basic text, along with a variety of third age life planning exercises. Many people who are in the process of change have told me that they are not in synch with their partners. Couples need a book that will help them address the issue together and be able to do this kind of reflection and life change. The Couples Retirement Puzzle is an important, useful and much needed resource. I would be most happy to use and/or recommend The Couples Retirement Puzzle in my classes and workshops next year.

William Sadler, Ph.D.
Co-founder and Director of Research for the Center for Third Age Leadership and Professor of Sociology and Business at Holy Names University in Oakland, California. Author of six books, including The Third Age: Six Principles of Growth and Renewal After Forty, Changing Course: Navigating Life After Fifty (co-authored with James Krefft, Ph.D.), and Why Retire? Career Strategies for Third Age Nurses (co-authored with Fay L. Bower, DNSc, FANN).