Preparing for retirement can sometimes be problematic since it means that one is aging and moving into another life cycle change. This paper will review some factors to consider in making the transition a more positive experience. The impact of retirement on older citizens is frequently neglected in the counseling arena. In the current youth oriented society it is hard to get people to discuss the need for providing counseling services for the millions of people who are considering retirement. A pre-retirement counselor needs to know counseling plus understand what a retiree will face in retirement. The current economic trend is to retire older employees early instead of letting them phase into retirement. The financial incentives to retire at or before 65 are found in Social Security and pension plans. Limited counseling is given to retirees by most employers and is usually only about pensions. The trend now for many firms is to downsize, eliminate retirement plans and put the burden on the employee to make their own financial retirement decisions. All other aspects of retirement are up to the individual. With retirement being more accepted in the last 15-20 years there is more information and people available for guidance. The elderly have now become a political force and are pushing for better medical and financial treatment in retirement. Contains 17 references. (BF)