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Frequently Asked Questions What is the Retirement Exploration Survey (RES)? What is the Retirement Exploration Survey (RES)? The RES is a 60 question survey which helps identify areas of strength and challenge on 15 dimensions of living related to retirement satisfaction. How long does it take? Most people complete the Survey in 25-35 minutes. What do I get? After the Survey is completed you will receive a detailed report, entitled Your Next Dance Review, summarizing your personal results with both graphs and narrative. The Review shows the relative position of your 15 dimensions and provides a description of how most people with those results function in the world. The report includes a workbook with exercises geared to each of the fifteen dimensions and a comprehensive list of resources. When do I get it? If you complete the survey online and provide an email address, Your Next Dance Review will be available online within 24 hours. If you mail the survey, your report will be mailed back within 48 hours of receiving it. Does the RES tell me how I compare to others? Yes. Your Next Dance Profile compares your personal 15 dimensions with your own scores as well as to a national sample. How much does it cost? For an individual, the fee is $295. For a couple, the fee is $550.The rates for corporations, institutions, coaches, schools, etc. depend on several variables. Please call or email us regarding your particular interest. Should I discuss the RES with my spouse? Of course. Part of the power of the RES is revealing where you agree or not. It is NOT a good idea to discuss the RES or ask a spouse’s opinion before you answer an item. This could influence your responses, and it’s important that the results truly reflect your perceptions. The RES is about what you think, not what others think. How was the RES developed? The items and dimensions within the RES were selected solely on a mathematical basis. No subjectivity was involved. You can get full details on the development and statistical reliability of the RES by accessing the Technical Report, available on this website. Has the RES been tested? Yes, extensively. Over 200 people participated in multiple rounds of testing, to assure that items accurately measure the dimensions. Again, see the Technical Report for complete details What if I don’t think the RES results fit me? No instrument can perfectly reflect the complexity of any individual. While the RES is basically a self-report, and should offer an accurate picture of your perceptions, there are many things that can influence responses to a survey. Think back on the time you completed the instrument to determine if there were conditions that may have prompted your answers. There may be some surprises or results that don’t seem relevant to you; we ask that you take the time to think about how accurately the outcomes truly describe your point of view. Is the RES objective? Yes, as objectively as humanly possible. Subjective decisions were made to test and explore certain items, for example, but all final decisions were completely mathematical and empirical. Who created the RES? See About Us on the Home Page. All four of the Aphelion/Next Dance principals contributed to the creation and testing of the RES. Is the RES valid? Technically, no instrument can be proven to be valid. The RES is highly reliable and has all the mathematical traits of being valid. Does my age make a difference? The RES was developed on a sample of people ranging in age from 50 to 80+. If you are in that range then it will apply to you. In addition, there are two versions, one for those already Retired and one for the Pre-Retired population. Does it matter if I am a man or a woman? No. In developing the RES no significant differences were found between men and women on the 15 dimensions. The number of men and women in the sample population were very nearly equal. Does the Your Next Dance Review give advice? No. While it does not specifically guide or direct you to make any particular changes in your life, it provides information that is very relevant to your decision-making around retirement plans. It reveals where you currently stand and where you think you need to be in retirement on 15 dimensions. It may help to identify where some change may benefit you, but no concrete direction is suggested. A Retirement Coach may be appropriate here. Do I have to be working with a Retirement Coach? No. The RES was designed to provide a personal report of results, called the Your Next Dance Review, that can either stand alone or be a part of the coaching process. The report includes a comprehensive workbook with exercises geared to the fifteen dimensions to help you think more deeply about needed change or action. However, working with a qualified Next Dance coach adds considerable value to your planning and decision making for this next phase of life. Are there any ethnic or cultural differences for the RES? The RES was developed on predominantly Caucasian men and women living in the United States. There is no information at this time regarding different cultures or races. Our examination of the dimensions supporting a fulfilling retirement suggest that they are universal, and cross ethnic and cultural lines. Why was the RES developed? As the “Baby Boomers” mature, over 75 million people will attain retirement age in the next 20 years. This unprecedented demand for the assessment and evaluation of the retirement process created a need for objective study. The authors could not find an instrument that filled that need, so they decided to create their own. I am a company/institution/other entity. What is different for me? There is no one answer to that question. We offer multiple services for organizations, including training, workshops, and individual coaching. Please contact us regarding your specific situation. I have taken other “personality” questionnaires. Can I combine those results with yours? The RES was designed as a stand alone instrument. It was revised and refined several times from an entirely internal perspective. It has no relationship with any other measure. However, information gleaned from other assessments can add to your understanding of yourself, your motivations, needs, strengths, and shortcomings, and all this information is valuable in determining how to best move forward into a fulfilling retirement or next phase of life. What if I have other questions? You can either email us or call toll free at 888-556-5758. Also, see our Contact page.
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