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As Bob Dylan once wrote: "The times they are a-changin."

Boomers are 78 million strong born between 1946 and 1964, making up a quarter of the U.S. population

Today, there is someone turning 60 every 8 seconds. Life expectancy is about 85. Age 60 is the new 50 and age 50 is the new 40. Boomers are the healthiest and best educated of any generation.

Since retirement has been traditionally thought of as the last step before "death", Boomers look at the "next phase" of their lives before retirement.

Although 76% of boomers indicate they will work in retirement, a recent survey by the Associated Press found that 43% will work to stay busy, while 27% will work to make ends meet and 19% will work to be able to afford "extras." I believe that the 27% figure is growing. Just about all boomers want to be debt-free, dependent-free and healthy.

There are 4 steps to looking at the next phase:

First have a frank discussion with a financial adviser. I consider finances to be the great overlay in defining the next phase. Will you be in the 43%, the 19% or the 27%?

The second step is to take the time to "get to know you". It is important to identify your personal strengths and values for the transition ahead. What has given you joy in the past?

The third step is to figure out your purpose as well as what your vision is of how you want your life to be. Just why are you on the planet? Your roles of parent, spouse, and professional are changing. What will your new role be? With another 20+ years expected longevity, how will you spend it? What are your dreams for the future? What do you see yourself doing?

The final step is to put together a plan with a goal in mind using the previous steps above as a foundation. What has to change 5 years from now? To attain that 5-year goal, what has to be put into place this year?

If you choose (or need) to work, consider options that reflect what you like to do and your values. Even if you volunteer to "keep busy," the work should be fun and enjoyable. Work burnout can occur at any age in any function. Keep in mind when choosing to work, you will have to take less compensation in most any case.

The often talked about labor shortage is starting to appear as boomers leave the workforce. Increasingly, there will be many new jobs (part time and full time) that boomers can fill. The mature worker (defined as anyone born before 1955) currently makes up 12% of the workforce. By 2015, the mature worker will make up over 20% of the workforce. It is important (especially if you have to work to make ends meet) that you work at a job you enjoy.

Self-employment may be your next phase. A study by the Families and Work Institute report finds older workers who are self-employed - particularly those who not only work for themselves but also employ others - are likelier to be happier with their work situation than those who labor for someone else. The small-business owners were less likely to want to switch jobs.

And finally, I recently spoke to Graceworks in San Francisco on the topic of the mature worker. As a closing thought, I suggested, "for the future, we need to return to self reliance - expect less entitlements and seek new opportunities to make a difference." With all that is going on in the world today, there will be plenty of meaningful work to go around.