Consider yourself an athlete in the sport of investing. Physical endurance is important when it comes to the sprint, however mental poise will see you through the long run. An investor can have the most reliable information available, but with the absence of emotional control, you may fail to reach the goal.

You should strive to be the Tiger Woods of investing and when you reach the eighteenth hole, your score is based on the portfolio's value. Upon retirement, you will know your ranking. At this time, the more desirable position would be that of team owner, not peanut-tosser.

It is in the world of sports, you may find relevant ideas for retirement planning. There are no guarantees when it comes to investing in stocks, yet you may want to consider the following attributes shared by champions.

The first step in developing your portfolio is to put together a team of all-stars. Forget the minor league players, you need the Sammy Sosa's and Randy Johnson's to fill your roster. Relieve the players with weak relative strength versus the index and keep the ones with strong relative strength. If you are unaware of these changing numbers, contact an investment professional knowledgeable in this area.

Next, limit yourself to the number of players allowed on the field. In football, for example, your team may only have eleven players on the field while the play is live. Your team is penalized for too many players. This seems to be a difficult rule for many investors. As a coach, you may have drafted a college superstar who turns out to be a professional dud.

Do not allow your self- esteem to keep the player in the game. Analyze your back-up players and be aware of the time remaining on your retirement clock.

Although it may be emotionally difficult to pull the stock, keeping it may limit your overall score. You should always focus on long-term fundamentals without neglecting short-term reviews (ie: annual updates). This does not mean you become a speculator of stocks; you just position yourself as the number one draft picker.

If resources do not allow for adequate diversification, or if you are new to investing, consider hiring a manager. In other words, find mutual funds suitable for your investment risks, time horizons, and goals. Your batting average is no better when you hit a home run versus a single. It may be more exciting to post a high slugging average, but even Babe Ruth struck out now and then.

Another point worth noting is to keep your winners. Unless you can find a better player for that position, let your winners carry you to a championship. John Elway did it for the Denver Broncos in 1999 at age thirty-eight. Remember, we pick our starters because we believe in their abilities to outperform. Still, it is vitally important to monitor your holdings. You may one day decide to retire a player who does not fit into you overall game plan. Until that time, remain focused on the goal line and block out the noise of the market.

In the game of rugby, players advance the ball forward while pitching it back to another player. The idea here is to look forward, but never forget what the past teaches us. Players may come and go, but victory never loses its appeal. We all look for success in our investment portfolios and a time to take home the gold. Keep a positive attitude and dedicate your resources to winning the game of retirement.

Wardlaw's belief is that familiar life elements best illustrate practical investment strategies; not typical investment jargon. With that philosophy, the author assists financial planners/advisors, brokerage firms, periodicals, and other investment information syndicates create informative and entertaining articles. For comments and questions, please contact the author at tools2invest@yahoo.com or visit http://www.tools2invest.com

What will you look for as you approach your "golden" years? Will it be an affordable condo on the golf course with room for the grandchildren to visit? Must it be close to friends and family or new "senior" friends living close by? Should it be near good medical facilities?

The average householder 65 or above earns only two-fifths as much as earners age 45-54 (who are at their peak earning years). Even though many "goldenagers" are now free from the encumbrances of children and work-related expenses, the costs of daily life must be planned. Income must be protected to assure its availability for household expenses and higher health care costs.

The "goldenagers" have even more than lifestyle questions to consider in choosing their retirement nest. You should take a look at the effect of state tax structures on your projected retirement income. It's important to look at the following key tax areas:

* TAXATION OF EARNED AND INVESTMENT INCOME

If you plan to continue working, you need to take a look at the way states vary in taxing your income. Some states do not make an exception for age, some give tax breaks and some do not tax earned income at all for "goldenagers."

* PENSION INCOME TAXATION

Many "goldenagers" depend on the income from military, government or private pension plans to survive. Some states exempt all pension income from taxation , others exempt only certain types of pension income and other states place caps on non-taxable pension income.

* TAXES ON SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS

Social Security benefits are important to all "goldenagers." Some states do not tax this benefit at all, some follow federal tax formulas for determining taxes on the benefits, but still other states have their own formulas to determine the tax due.

* PROPERTY TAX

Some states offer advantages to "goldenagers" such as homestead exemptions that can be helpful in reducing property tax burdens. Remember to check the tax laws regarding taxes on personal property, especially cars and boats.

* SALES TAX RATES

Nearly every state, and often localities within each state, tax clothing, gas, household goods and sometimes even food and drugs. When you budget your fixed income for these items, remember to consider the sales taxes as you move to your retirement nest.

* ESTATE TAXES
Even though these taxes will not affect your cost of living as a "goldenager," they should be considered as you build your nest. Some states tax the surviving spouse on a portion of the inheritance which in another state would pass to him or her without being taxed. States are studying how to make their financial environments "friendlier" to seniors so watch for changes in state estate tax codes.

A decision for your "golden years" cannot be based on any one tax consideration. You need to examine your overall financial situation and consider the options in the attempt to make your retirement nest free from financial stress.

Fearing the American worker is being left in the dark, Mr. Morris, a fee based Investment Advisor Representative with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., helps 401k participants get the most out of their retirement plan.

Given recent events in the news, many employees have begun wondering what would happen to their 401(k) dollars if their company were to go into bankruptcy, out-of-business, or was merged or acquired by another firm. This is a question that few employees think about when making contributions to their company retirement plan. Yet, in the economic environment of today where corporate closings and restructuring are not uncommon, it makes sense to know what level of safety exists.

Retirement plans are managed exclusively for the benefit of participants by plan officials called fiduciaries and trustees. A fiduciary is any person who exercises any discretionary authority or control over the management of the plan or its assets, or any person who is paid to give investment advice regarding plan assets. A trustee has the responsibility of collecting and holding plan assets in trust for the participants. The obligations required of fiduciaries and trustees means that they are ultimately responsible and held accountable for the safety of the participants' money.

It is important to know that there are laws specifically designed to protect the interests of qualified retirement plan participants and their beneficiaries. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) was passed in 1974 to specifically protect the retirement plan assets of qualified retirement plan participants. For defined contribution plans - such as 401(k)s - the Department of Labor (DOL) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) also oversee various rules and regulations to enforce fiduciary compliance, participation, vesting (ownership) and funding standards.

Under the various rules of ERISA, benefits under a 401(k) plan are protected from creditors if a company goes bankrupt. No matter how much a struggling company may need access to funds, they cannot use plan assets for such purposes as buying equipment, paying rent or paying creditors. Your retirement dollars are held "in trust" for your benefit - not for the benefit of your company.

Participants are always 100% vested in their own contributions to a 401(k) plan. While it usually takes several years to become fully vested in any employer contributions, if a qualified plan is terminated, the employees immediately become 100% vested. IRS approval must be received before any qualified plan can be terminated. Once approval for a termination is obtained from the IRS, the full amount of plan assets are distributed to plan participants.

If you would like to know more about ERISA, or if you require more general information regarding qualified retirement plans, such as a 401(k) plan, contact your financial advisor. After all, the more you know about your retirement plan, the more secure you are likely to be upon retirement .

Fearing the American worker is being left in the dark, Mr. Morris, a fee based Investment Advisor Representative with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., helps 401k participants get the most out of their retirement plan.

An excellent TV commercial shows a roomful of employees receiving from a manager the paperwork for their employer-sponsored retirement plan. The manager tells them to read the information, check off their investment choices, and return the forms. The workers have that deer-in-the-headlights stare. When the manager asks, "Are there any questions?" every hand goes up.

The image is so good because it is so real. From the anecdotes that we hear, this situation is common at many US companies. Managing employees to productivity and profitability is plenty tough. Helping them save for retirement is something else again.

Although they usually have the best of intentions, companies don't have the wherewithal to help every employee along every step to retirement nirvana. Most important, they don't want the fiduciary responsibility for individual plans. If they make a mistake and an employee loses a bundle, here comes a lawsuit! A one-size-fits-all pension makes more sense, and the employee can handle his own 401K or 403B.

Often management hands off the duty to the representative of a fund family or other advisory service. That happened to us in the 1980s. The rep pulled out a list of funds and said the magic word-"diversify." Then he told us that we needed a bond fund and an international fund and an index fund. "Technology's big, so you should have money in that fund." We checked the funds that he suggested, and we never saw or heard from the guy again. He was nowhere to be found when the market and all those funds crashed in 1987. That's when we decided to think and act for ourselves.

Maybe you have decided the same thing and that led you to thr Retirement Funds section, you should be able to find a model portfolio that suits your investing goals and temperament.

First, do a little homework to make sure that your are making the best investing decisions. For employer-sponsored plans like 403Bs, that means going to your personnel department or plan manager and asking some questions. Make sure you know exactly how much you can contribute to your plan each pay period. Remember that workers over age 50 can add more dollars to their account due to "catch up" provisions added to tax law in 2003.

Most 403Bs offer several families of mutual funds. For convenience or other reasons, a plan administrator might try to steer you into one or two particular fund families, usually the larger ones. That's not always a good deal. One reader was looking at the big companies for her plan until she discovered that our favorite group, albeit a smaller fund family, was also available. It will save her a ton on fees, etc. So make sure that you see every name on the fund list before making a choice.

Speaking of fees, there is a wide range of management fees and other costs associated with the funds that you choose. They can add up and greatly diminish your returns. Since the funds offer essential the same service, it's often a good idea to pick the company with the lowest fees. Also check to see if the company charges an "account transfer fee" for moving in and out of funds on a regular basis, usually in 60 days or less. If you follow the portfolios, you'll make changes depending on market conditions. You want no account transfer fees or the lowest fees possible.

Of course, you'll want to check the track records of the funds. Returns vary, and the companies are quick to remind investors that solid returns in the past are no guarantee of future success. If you're limiting yourself to index funds, the returns should be uniform across the board.

Once you've made your choice of fund family, put together a short list of specific funds that you are likely to use in your portfolio. The list should include an index fund, a money market fund, an international fund concentrating in Asia, a bond fund or two, and large, mid and small cap stock funds. Keep it simple.

Then set up your account according to your personal preferences or follow one of the model portfolios, and let the pre-tax salary dollars roll in.

Last, and most important in our view, you should spend about 10 minutes a week monitoring your portfolio. Check your returns and see if any funds are lagging. You'll find our opinion about market direction and whether we're adding to positions, heading to cash, or standing pat. If necessary, you can adjust your holdings with a few mouse clicks or a quick phone call.

Spend a little time preparing for your future today, and you'll never have to sheepishly raise your hand at a company retirement meeting.

Let's be completely honest. Everyone has their own dreams and expectations about retirement. Upon retirement, some folks plan to travel around the world while others simply plan to take excursions to their local beach. Whatever the retirement plan that you may have, being able to implement your goals takes a certain degree of financial security. The problem however is that financial security does not just happen but requires careful planning, commitment and yes, money.

To be a successful retiree, you must successfully transition yourself into retirement in order to meet your retirement objectives. In addition, you have to plan the amount of money you need and what you want to accomplish with your savings. After all, you'll likely spend 35+ years in retirement so you must start planning now. In this article, we will discuss 10 ways that you can successfully transition yourself into retirement. They are as follows:

1. Debt Reduction - Make sure that you do not carry your debts into retirement. Therefore, commit yourself to paying off as much of your debts as you possibly can. Eliminate car payments, credit card debts, personal loans, etc. Do what you have to do now to squash debt and make sure that you don't obtain any new debts either.

2. Have a Nest Egg of Emergency Funds - Have enough liquid funds in hand to cover at least a few months of expenses, without eating into your investments. Be prepared for the unexpected expenses while you transition into retirement. After all, emergencies will certainly come up but if you have a certain amount of savings, you won't have to worry about them.

3. Adequate Insurance Coverage - Make sure that you have adequate insurance to cover your life, health, homeowners', and auto insurance policies. Reassess your insurance needs on a yearly basis to ensure that they suit your retirement needs. Be open to making changes as needed and check out your employer's retirement coverage. Many of folks have been unpleasantly surprised to learn that their employers will no longer cover their medical expenses after they retire. So, if you find out now, you can take the necessary steps to protect yourself and your family.

4. Retirement Income Plan - To ensure that you don't outlive your assets, develop a retirement income plan that includes your income and expenses. Keep track of your current expenses and cut back as needed.

5. Social Security Benefits - The rules for benefits are rather complex, so talk to a Social Security representative a year before you plan to retire. By doing this, you'll be able to understand your benefits and how much you're covered. In addition, you should apply for social security three months before you want to start collecting your benefits or three months before your 65th birthday.

6. Contribute to a Savings Plan - If your employer offers a tax-sheltered savings plan (such as a 401K), make sure that you contribute as much as you can. Not only will this substantially lower your taxes but will also make huge difference in your financial security due to the magic of compounded interest.

7. Review Wills and Trusts - Make sure that you have a valid will and/or trust. Not only will this protect your assets but will give you peace of mind.

8. Invest in IRA - By putting money in an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), you'll cleverly delay paying taxes on investment earnings. If you invest $2,000 in IRA at 4% when you are 30, it will grow to $112,170 by the time you are 60. Now that's a lot of moola for simply being smart!

9. Follow Basic Investment Principles - Just remember that how much you have for retirement depends on the type of investments you make now. Learn how to multiply your savings using mutual funds, stocks, bonds, etc. Consult a financial advisor for additional information.

10. Know About Medicare - Find out when it is appropriate to apply for Medicare and then apply. The Medicare application process and premiums may vary, depending on your age and whether or not you are receiving Social Security by being aware of the type of Medicare you may qualify, you'll be ahead of the game. For instance, the two parts of Medicare are:

- Hospital insurance, which generally you do not pay. It helps to pay for hospital, hospice, and home health care.

- Medical insurance, which you pay. It helps pay for doctors, outpatient care, and other medical services.

Follow our suggested ten steps and you'll not only improve your mental health but you'll also transition yourself into a happy and financially secure retirement.

Dr. Cynthia Barnett is a "refired" educator who had reinvented her life moving from the school house to an entrepreneurial venue.. She is the author of "Stop Singing the Blues: 10 Powerful Strategies for Hitting the high Notes in Your Life, and RE-FIRE, Don't Retire: 7 Secrets of Highly Successful Retirees She was featured by Time magazine for their article on women in mid-life who have reinvented themselves.

If you are ready to "RE-FIRE" your life sign up for my free 7 day audio mini course on the 7 biggest mistakes retires make and how to avoid them for an extraordinary life at http://www.refiredontretire.com
http://www.refiredontretire.com/

The retirement years can be the best time of your life. It is a time when you have more flexibility; you're older, wiser and have a better idea about what you want to do with your life and what is important to you. However, there is a great deal of security with having a predictable job. There are the elements of having a place to go to every weekday at an appointed place and time; the people you work and socialize with, and the compensation you receive for your efforts. All of those elements can disappear when you retire. Here are some strategies to help you adapt to the post retirement years:

1) Don't retire at all.

Many people are choosing this option today and will find it easier to find employment as our population changes. Over the next decade the number of workers aged 25 - 44 will decrease causing a shortage in the labor market which will make your age and experience an even greater asset and increase employment opportunities for older workers.

2) Work at having a great social life

Increase your social circles; stay connected to people. Make it a habit to make new friends. What are your interests and hobbies? Join a club or association involving those interests and you'll make friends with whom you can share those same interests. If you're the shy, retiring type (no pun intended!) take along a friend. However, if you must go solo, volunteer to work with others on a committee where you'll effortlessly interact with others.

3) Be an event planner

Throw a party. Don't wait for others to invite you to events; be the one who does the inviting. Don't be upset if you have to be the one to reach out to others. Reach out to others regardless, you'll be happier for it and so will your friends.

4) Make your health a priority

When you think about it, the state of your health affects every area of your life. But too many people don't think about their health until there is a problem. Examine your habits today; will they allow you to live to a ripe old age? Be sure to keep up with your routine annual visits to your doctor for check-ups. In addition, look into techniques for managing your stress such as yoga and deep breathing exercises in order to create an overall sense of well-being.

5) Exercise and stay in shape

Exercise is good for your health. The better you feel, the more you'll want to keep involved and the better you'll look. There are countless books on staying in shape. Buy one and get started. It's not a bad idea to join a gym too!

6) Join a cause greater than yourself

When you make a contribution for the greater good, you will derive a feeling of self-worth and fulfillment. Commit yourself to something that is worthwhile and important to you. You'll be helping others as well as yourself.

7) Increase your technology know-how

It is imperative that you keep up with the latest computer programs and skills, especially if you do choose to work in an office. There is nothing that will qualify you as an "old dinosaur" more than being behind the times technologically (except possibly the next area).

8) Dress for the 21st Century

Update your look. Hire a fashion consultant at your local boutique or department store if necessary; however, if that's not an option, here's an idea that may be helpful. Think of a celebrity or public figure that is similar to you in age and body type who dresses well, and then imitate their style. Also, find a good hairstylist; get referrals from people with great hair cuts that you admire.

9) Fulfill your dreams

What is it that you have always wanted to do, but never seemed to have the time to do it? Many people find that their retirement is the perfect time to explore their dreams and make choices that they didn't believe were possible in the past. Start out by making a plan for your life. Ask yourself what you would like to see yourself doing in the next 5, 10, 15 years and beyond. Then make up a detailed game plan and go for it!

10) Attitude is everything

Maintain a youthful attitude. By youthful I mean energetic and eager to live each day to the fullest. Don't buy into the idea that now that you've reached a certain age you have to act a certain way. We all know of elderly individuals who look and act much younger than they are. Let their example inspire you to be the same way.

The key to happiness during the retirement years for the majority of us is staying connected to others. Participating in activities that we enjoy, being with people we like and doing things that we feel are worthwhile all combine to make for exciting and fulfilling post retirement years. Implement these strategies now so that when people ask what you'll do during your retirement, you'll tell them you're having so much fun that you haven't had time to consider it.

Donna Bradshaw is a Career Consultant and Speaker specializing in career development and transition guidance for men and women over 40. She can be reached at http://www.cacoaching.com Tel: 201-236-1158 or via e-mail at Donna@cacoaching.com.

And you thought you were all finished with work. But retirement planning these days includes so many diverse options. And one of them is to find a retirement job.

If you're leaning in that direction because you just can't see yourself hanging up your work shoes . . . or perhaps you wish to work for financial security . . . well, there are some fabulous opportunities just tailor made for your situation.

The good news is that many companies value having retirees on their workforce. They're experienced, loyal, committed, on time and get along well with others. What employer wouldn't salivate to have someone like that on board?

If you've decided to explore some retirement work opportunities, whether full-time or part-time, there are five benchmarks you can use to check out in advance to determine if an employment situation makes sense for you. That way you can be sure you'll wind up in an environment that's comfortable and productive.

1. Health benefits. The best companies offer subsidies for eldercare, tax-free health accounts, wellness programs and insurance coverage for part-time workers.

2. Recruiting. Forward-looking employers target diverse age groups. They seek out older workers, rehire retirees, and actively retain their older workers.

3. Pension plans. Defined-benefit plans, stock options, profit sharing, incentive programs . . . all these are signals that you're dealing with an age-friendly organization.

4. Training and development. The very best employer provides career counseling, refresher courses, as well as mentoring and coaching opportunities.

5. Alternative work arrangements. Flexible workplaces with seasonal schedules, shift options, telecommuting, leave for care-giving. In other words, do they engage older workers on their own terms?

Now, where do you find such high-quality employment opportunities?

For openers you might take a look at the Nov/Dec issue (2005) of AARP Magazine. They list a number of companies that meet these high-quality specifications.

On the other hand, if you haven't been in the job market recently, you must understand that things have changed dramatically, especially since 9/11 and Katrina.

To succeed in today's job marketplace you need to dump the old-fashioned ways of finding a job and
discover the exciting alternative and non-traditional strategies that can guarantee you a high-paying job in as little as 14 days!

With these innovative techniques you can be sure your retirement job search planning will lead to the career adventure of a lifetime!

Paul Megan writes for EEI, the world-class pioneer in alternative job search techniques and non-traditional career advancement strategies . . . since 1985. Grab our stunning FREE REPORT: "How To Lock Up A High-Paying Job In 14 Days (Or Less)!" Click on RSS. http://www.fastest-job-search.com

Don't let retirement be forced on you or think you have to continue in a job you dislike because the Pensions Industry has
messed up. Active retirement might be the answer when all you actually want to do is stop what you've been doing but not "hang up your boots" altogether.

This may be a good choice for you - especially if you are keen to maintain intellectual stimulation; you like a challenge AND you have expert knowledge in some subject or another.

For most people contemplating retirement, or early retirement, the main concern is money; however, far from thinking of putting your feet up, there are other and better ways to supplement your investments or pension.

Like many of us, you would probably be keen to supplement your personal pension income. If you enjoy mental stimulation or need to have a sense of purpose you'll be less concerned that without a job you lose a large part of your identity.

If you're taking early retirement, why not ask your employer if they could continue to use your skill and knowledge as a consultant - you can do this either as self-employed or as an employee of your own small business. If the idea of owning your own small business is attractive to you, running a small business can be a most satisfying retirement occupation, and there are thousands of success stories of those who took the plunge at 55-plus. These people have built businesses that provide involvement, fun and income while creating something of value to pass on to their children or grandchildren.

You almost certainly have a skill or specialist knowledge to offer, and with the drive and energy to do something with it, the time to invest and the health to support your ambition, then you have the basis of a business that can bring real retirement benefits, allow you to make the most of your investment income, and above all continuing career satisfaction.

You may not have given it much thought but you could as you are reading this perhaps you are looking for ideas. I have built an online business based upon my knowledge and you could too. You've no doubt amassed a great deal of knowledge from your
work experience, your hobbies, passions, or past-times. Think about the websites you visit; my own website at www.your-career-change.com comes from my specialist knowledge and a set of tools called Site Build It that removes any need for technical web site building knowledge - you could do it too, and if you let me I'll show you.

Needless to say I'm only recommending this because I know it works, and they can not only prove it but back it up with lots of good ideas for ways you can use your own knowledge; I had no web-site building skills yet I've been able to put together a 93 page website in a very short space of time. I'm sure if I can do it, you could do it too!

I'm going to give you a few ideas that show you exactly what is possible if you know your subject matter. And if you're really motivated you can build a solid business with interest and intellectual stimulation that provides information to others who can benefit from your knowledge, whilst creating additional retirement income for your family.

You never have to sell a product or service; you can build upon this foundation of information. It's your choice, depending on your skills, inclination, and time availability.

But if you do like the idea of selling a service; perhaps using your knowledge as a Consultant, you could offer a service related to your particular niche. Since every service revolves around a theme you could build a client base, whether clients are local (e.g. business consulting, or organizing children's birthday parties) or global (e.g. assessing the value of antiquarian books or travel services). Or you could start a completely new service business — what do you know or do, that is of value to others? This is how you can start to build a business and with it additional money.

Just like me, before getting too involved you'd probably want to see what other people like you and I have done, and perhaps get some good ideas for yourself take a look at these results which range from "Home Decorating" to "Juggling" and making
"Greetings Cards" all at http://results.sitesell.com/Careers1.html

Peter Fisher is a Career Coach, writer and consultant. His website is at http://www.your-career-change.com.

As a baby boomer myself, it never ceases to amaze me at how much emphasis is put on ‘early retirement' for our segment of the population. While it may be that some of us will work beyond the mandatory retirement age of 65 out of necessity, there are still a surprisingly large number of boomers who will "choose" to be employed in some way, shape, or form, well beyond the traditional age of retirement. Statistically, we are a group of educated, bright, intellectually savvy, individuals. Can we continue to make a difference as we enter the golden years of our supposed retirement? You bet!

There is, in fact, a bold new wave of baby boomer entrepreneurs who are starting businesses. For some, their best client/s are the organizations for whom they previously worked who are now willing to pay for their expertise on an outsourced basis. For others, it is a prime time to start over and do something they might have always wanted to do, but either didn't have the time for in the past, or who wouldn't take the risk while they were raising their families.

Some of the facts below might surprise you. Take a moment (especially if you are a boomer), to see if you can relate to any of these statistics:

- Boomers are better educated than previous generations
Boomers are much more ready, willing, and able to take on the challenges of continued employment in a diverse work environment

-30% of leading edge boomers, aged 55-59, have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is up 25% from just six years ago, according to Census Bureau statistics.

- Aging boomers, as well as those who are now in their 60's and 70's, have also shown a propensity to continue their education. The latest statistics from the Department of Education show that the number of Americans between the ages of 45 and 69 enrolled in adult education classes increased 23%, from 22.6 million in 1995 to 27.9 million in 1999.

- Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that the number of Americans 55 to 64 categorized as self-employed in non-agricultural industries has increased 29%, from 1,434,000 in July, 2000, to 1,846,000 as of July, 2005. The number of self-employed 65 and older has grown 18%, from 641,000 in 2000 to its current level of 756,000.

- The largest number of self-employed workers is represented by late boomers - those 45 to 54 years-olds who make up nearly 2.6 million, or 27%, of the nation's 9.6 million self-employed.

- Boomer-and-older entrepreneurs now account for 54 percent of self-employed workers, which is up from 48.5 percent in 2000.

While self-employment was expanding among boomers and older workers, it was stagnant or falling for almost every other age group. The biggest group of self-employed workers in 2000 were the 35-44 year-olds, who numbered 2,790,000. Currently, their numbers have fallen 15 percent to 2,359,000, while self-employment has risen by only 1% among the 25-34 year-olds.

What does this tell us? Don't ever underestimate our generation's impact on changing the face of retirement. There are approximately 76 million Baby Boomers who were born after World War II, between the years of 1946 and 1964. We represent the single largest demographic group in the USA. You and I are a part of the future - and we can have a profound impact on the economy - both from the perspective of new job creation and by the decreased tax burden that we represent to the labor force; not to mention the self-satisfaction we can achieve by doing something that is exciting, motivating, and rewarding. Go Boomers, Go!

(Sources: Dept. of Labor - Bureau of Labor Statistics, Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.)

Kathy Szpakowski, is a proud baby boomer, and an author, speaker, radio personality, trainer, consultant, business coach, and successful business owner, who understands how people of all ages work and live, what they value, what motivates them, and ultimately, what makes them tick. To find out what kind of work environment you prefer, a free self-evaluation and much more, sign up for free eLearning at http://www.AchieversLibrary.com/FreeStuff.htm