Encore, encore

Once again baby boomers are casting aside stereotypes.  Gone are the days when one worked for a single company until age 65 and then went into full retirement.  Many in their 50's want to continue working, not because they have to, but because they want to.  They want to feel connected and to give back to society.

Glen Ruffenach, in his 11/17/07 Weekend Wall St. Journal article, "In Search of a Purpose," interviews Marc Freedman, CEO of San Francisco nonprofit, Civic Ventures.  Civic Ventures focuses on expanding the contributions of older Americans.  Marc talks about encore careers, which he defines as:

• A significant body of work; a career to last 10,15 or even 20 years beyond midlife.
• Ideally involving some sort of pay and benefits, not just a volunteer position.
• At it's core, it's a search for new meaning and a deep desire to contribute to the greater good.

Freedman also distinguishes encore careers from "working in retirement" jobs.  The "working in retirement" jobs are merely a bridge between a career and full retirement.  They are also a way to make ends meet, not necessarily jobs that provide satisfaction.

Nancy Loderick