Kerje Saar

Kerje's journey into retirement coaching began in 2010 when she worked as a social welfare counselor at Tartu City Senior Center. She witnessed firsthand how poorly prepared many Estonians were for the psychological and social aspects of retirement. That experience sparked something in her — a determination to help people approach this major life shift with confidence and clarity.

She pursued formal training in gerontology, completing her Master's degree in Social Gerontology from the University of Tartu in 2014. But the real education came from working directly with hundreds of seniors. Over the past decade, she's developed comprehensive retirement readiness programs that address more than just financial planning. Her approach tackles purpose, community connection, and health optimization — the things that actually matter when you're building a fulfilling life after work.

Her work with community organizations in Pärnu led her to establish several peer-led active ageing groups that now serve over 300 seniors regularly. She's also developed senior wellness programming in Tartu that combines evidence-based coaching with Estonia's unique cultural and social resources. Now as Senior Retirement Coach at Iltrix OÜ, Kerje brings this hands-on experience to every article, every coaching engagement, and every conversation about what comes next.

This philosophy shapes everything she does. Whether she's guiding someone through the first months of retirement or helping a 70-year-old start a new community initiative, Kerje operates from the conviction that the later years can be some of the most purposeful and connected years of your life — if you plan for it.