Why do couples struggle with retirement?

Sudden role loss (you're not a "professional" anymore) and sudden togetherness (work separated you 40+ hours/week). Some couples have never spent this much time together. Retirement reveals whether you actually enjoy each other's company or were just co-parenting and co-managing life.

How do we maintain compatibility in retirement?

Maintain separate interests and friend groups (not all time together). Schedule time apart intentionally (one takes a class, one meets friends). Create shared projects (travel, home renovation, volunteer). Most importantly, redefine what partnership means without work as anchor.

Is retirement a common divorce trigger?

Yes. Divorce rates spike again at retirement age. Partners realize they have nothing in common, spend too much forced time together, or have irreconcilable control/autonomy issues. Compatible retirement couples plan together before retiring: "What will we do with our time?" If you can't answer together, incompatibility might surface fast.