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Tina Bonanno, a 68-year-old information architect at KPMG, found herself at a crossroads after a period of significant illness in 2022 and 2023. Her health issues, including a knee replacement complication and subsequent infection, led to five months of disability leave from her demanding IT role. Upon returning to work, she grappled with severe brain fog and difficulty concentrating, making her typical 50 to 60-hour workweeks and managing up to 10 projects unsustainable. This struggle pushed her to the brink of burnout, prompting her to consider full retirement as she approached Social Security eligibility at 66.

However, Bonanno realized she was not financially prepared for complete retirement and lacked alternative income sources. Consulting her financial advisor in late 2024 revealed that her retirement savings, combined with Social Security, would only sustain her until age 87. Given her family's history of longevity, this presented an unacceptable risk. Rather than abruptly leaving her decade-long career at KPMG, she sought a more gradual transition, which she termed a 'soft retirement.' She proactively researched company policies and discovered that KPMG supported reduced hours for long-term employees. Bonanno then meticulously crafted a proposal, emphasizing her valuable subject-matter expertise and institutional knowledge, framing the change as a strategic benefit for the firm's operational continuity.

Her proposal, which involved working approximately 20 hours per week at half her regular salary and pro-rated paid time off, while crucially retaining her full benefits, was accepted in January 2025. This newfound flexibility coincided with her move to a new home that required considerable renovation, allowing her ample time for unpacking and engaging in her hobbies of gardening and woodworking. The reduced work schedule significantly lowered her anxiety and offered a profound sense of peace. She now enjoys her extended weekends, dedicating time to personal projects like writing a book, while maintaining professional engagement and a steady income during her three designated workdays. This 'half-in, half-out' arrangement has been largely successful, with colleagues respecting her boundaries and minimizing meetings outside her scheduled hours.

Tina Bonanno's journey exemplifies a proactive and empowering approach to navigating later career stages. Her strategic move to a 'soft retirement' not only addressed her personal health and financial needs but also allowed her to redefine her professional engagement on her own terms. This model offers valuable insights into fostering well-being, embracing personal passions, and maintaining a dignified, productive role in the workforce as one approaches traditional retirement age.

Chloe Steinberg, a successful venture capitalist known for her early investment in Canva and leadership at Equinox Ventures, embarked on a profound personal and professional journey after the birth of her second child. This shift led her to step back from her demanding career and re-evaluate her understanding of success, ambition, and personal identity. Her narrative explores the internal and external challenges of transitioning from a high-powered corporate role to stay-at-home motherhood, grappling with societal expectations and the desire to instill different values in her children.

Steinberg’s decision to leave her firm four years ago coincided with a significant financial milestone: a life-changing exit from an early-stage tech investment she had made in her early twenties. This financial independence allowed her the flexibility to envision a new chapter, one where her presence in her children’s lives took precedence over constant travel and deal-making. She articulated a clear desire to redefine her priorities, stating that sharing breakfast with her children held greater value than any business deal she might close.

The transition, however, was not without its difficulties, particularly an “identity crisis” that arose after relocating to Connecticut, where her professional achievements were unknown. The constant inquiry, “What do you do?” highlighted the societal emphasis on titles and accomplishments, making her feel the need to justify her new role as a stay-at-home mother. This experience made her realize that the most challenging aspect of stepping away from her career was confronting her own ego. Despite her new path, she felt compelled to prove her continued intellectual capacity and ambition, emphasizing that her “brain” remained active, merely redirected to different endeavors.

A pivotal moment occurred when a friend, a CEO of a prominent company, questioned her sudden silence and lack of public contributions, reminding her of her past role as a thought leader. This prompted Steinberg to reflect on how years in a competitive environment had eroded her innate “bravery” and intuition, crucial qualities for a successful investor. She realized the importance of trusting her gut instincts, a trait often suppressed by the need for meticulous diligence and consensus in corporate settings. This introspection solidified her commitment to ensuring her own daughters would never feel silenced or compelled to suppress their authentic selves.

More recently, Steinberg made a strategic investment in a Silicon Valley startup, initiating contact with the founder and articulating her passion for the company’s vision. This experience rekindled her sense of professional validation, proving that her expertise and insight remained sharp, independent of a corporate title. She now questions the conventional definition of ambition, particularly as it relates to relentless striving. While acknowledging her privileged position, she now views ambition as a “tool for navigating life” rather than an end in itself, prioritizing meaningful pursuits like raising her children. Her journey underscores a broader societal conversation about work-life balance, the evolving definition of success, and the profound impact of motherhood on women’s professional identities.