For quite some time I have been trying to figure out how increasing longevity combined with the boomer proclivity for lifelong personal reinvention is going to transform retirement. And, of course, as a psychologist and gerontologist, through my research and writing (16 books), I have been coming to my own conclusions regarding how society will cope and how this is all going to be paid for.
Several weeks ago, I had the good fortune of providing the keynote address at the annual convention of the American Society on Aging (ASA), the largest professional association of people who work in the fields of gerontology and aging services.
My keynote presentation was titled "The Transformation of Retirement" and I cast my net wide to explore: How long will we live? How will people make use of their newfound longevity bonus? How do different nations view the role and purpose of their growing ranks of long-lived men and women? How will the boomers' desire to stay socially engaged give rise to a revolution in mentoring, volunteering and philanthropreneuring? What are the personal, social and financial challenges of each of the five stages of retirement. Readers of the Huffington Post can view this presentation below: