Established in 1962, the IRP was the first peer learning program for retirees in the United States. The impetus came from a group of retired New York City schoolteachers who asked the New School to collaborate in designing a program for retired and semiretired people seeking intellectual stimulation and ways to explore new areas of interest. The New School made space available and encouraged the group to form an organization to design and manage course offerings. The New School has also made its regular adult education courses available to IRP members as part of the program.