Hi:
Well this is it. Within a couple of days the first baby boomers will turn 60. Defined as those born between 1946 and 1964, about 10 million of us are steadily marching towards old age. But is it old age in the traditional sense? No, boomers are redefining retirement.
Although the average age of Canadians retiring has now dropped to around 60, retirement looks pretty different than it did even a decade ago.
Those with government pensions seem to retire around 57, while those who are self-employed or work for smaller firms with no pension continue to slave until the old manditory retirement age of 65.
Just because people are retiring from their "old" or permanent jobs, though, doesn't mean they are retiring from work. About half of those retiring want to continue to work.
However, it won't be at their old jobs, nor will it be full time. Many will work a couple of days a week, continuing to do the most enjoyable aspects of their profession and dropping the tedious parts.
Others will try something completely different, such as working in small boutiques, garden centres, home renovations or selling specialized products in which they have knowledge and interest.
Many are working on the net, writing articles, buying and selling on e-bay or other sites.
Boomers will probably challenge and win the mandatory retirement barriers put in place at a time when few expected to live much past 65.
In the past, mandatory retirement was a blessing; a relief from long hours and primarily physical work.
However, we have moved from the 30's when 80% of the work was unskilled "labor", a term used quite accurately, to an era where few continue to do the long arduous physical tasks, and many are not willing to retire.
People enjoy the mental stimulation of working and participating in all the wonderful developments on the frontiers of technological and educational advancements.
People are retiring from work, but not from life.
M.
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