3.2 million Baby Boomers will turn 62 in 2008. Projections say that 49% of men and 53% of women will choose early retirement. What will we do? Over 60% of Baby Boomers have no idea as to what we will do when we retire.
So, how are Baby Boomers going to face the enormous challenge of having a meaningful life after retirement?
Identity - Many of us have defined our identity with our work or occupation.
Community - We gain our financial equity, in part, from our paycheck. We gain our equity from being part of a work team and community.
Relationships - Family and friends relationships change with the additional available time change in personal focus - both good and bad.
The first goal for Baby Boomers in our retirement is to regain our identity by thinking about how we will identify ourselves with to others and the world. We need to establish a new purpose - explore, explore, explore. Try different paths, different opportunities, until we find the right fit.
Retiring Baby Boomers need to develop a substitute community - one that substitutes our work colleagues. Consider getting another job, joining a health club or maybe get involved in a religious group We might want to consider volunteering at a local school or organization.
Re-evaluate your relationship with our families. Discuss our expectations with them while reviewing our needs with our spouse, partner, children, and even our parents.
Even more important at this point in our lives is to consider taking this opportunity to live out some dreams that we were unable to realize earlier in our lives.
Take an example from Herb Gross. For 30 years, he was focused on running his advertising business. Then at the age of 60 he decided to change his life and reunited his 60’s rock ‘n roll band. During the sixties, he was the singer in a rock ‘n roll band known as The Invictas. While his passion now is playing rock‘n roll and entertaining other Baby Boomers, he has expanded his retirement passion for traveling, collecting classic cars, dancing or riding his motorcycle. He has found a new identity, community and purpose for his new life.
Herb Gross says, "Do whatever makes you happy and go for it - have fun and keep on rocking!" 
For information about his book about his retirement experience "Rock Till Ya Drop" and the band The Invictas, visit their web sites at: www.theinvictas.com or www.rocktillyadrop.com
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