BROOKINGS — South Dakota State University Extension is partnering with North Dakota State University Extension to host a virtual book club about making the most of retirement.

The Purposeful Retirement Online Book Club will meet online via Zoom every other Wednesday for six sessions. Sessions are at 10 a.m. starting Sept. 11.

Participants will discuss “Purposeful Retirement: How to Bring Happiness and Meaning to Your Retirement” by Hyrum W. Smith. Leacey Brown, SDSU Extension gerontology field specialist, and Jane Strommen, NDSU Extension gerontology specialist, will host.

It is free to participate. Participants will need a copy of the book. Registration is required by Sept. 10. To register, visit the SDSU Extension Events page and search “purposeful.”

“This book club allows attendees to reflect on what matters most and how their retirement can reflect their goals and values,” said Brown. “We have had attendees of all ages participate in the club — it’s amazing how we all learn from each other as we read and discuss the book.”

During each session, Brown and Strommen will facilitate a group discussion and ask questions to encourage attendees to think about retirement in new and exciting ways. The group discussion will encourage attendees to explore their personal attitudes and beliefs about retirement, learn how purpose enhances health and wellness, identify strategies to integrate purpose into retirement planning, and explore goals and priorities for retirement.

A participant from the 2023 book club shared, “This was my first online book club, and I really enjoyed it. It made me realize that this is something I’d like to do in retirement — find an online book club of my interest. Jane and Leacey were great leaders. I enjoyed all the participants and learned a lot from listening to everyone. I liked that we were all at different stages of retirement. The discussions were very interesting.”

For more information, contact Brown at 605-394-1722 or leacey.brown@sdstate.edu.