Some psychological problems of the military retiree's wife are discussed, with presentation of four representative cases. While gross psychopathological disturbances certainly are encountered in this group, milder situational or stress reactions are probably more common, are brought to the attention of psychiatric personnel far less frequently, and are probably appropriate to the major life changes which retirement presages.Retirement is viewed in its context for the psychic life of the individual more often than not, but its impact upon the community should not be ignored. It is suggested that this largely neglected area of military sociology will become more important as the number of retirees inexorably increases.Abstract Teaser