To my un-educated way of thinking, now (during the current recession) is the time to educate & train the youngsters, otherwise our 'so called' developed countries are going to be left behind when the economy picks up again.

Retirement. Jump in boys, the water is fine. Make sure you wear earplugs. I worried about it, pondered it, thought I might have made a mistake about it and now I can hardly find the time to enjoy it. There is no sitting around if you don't want to. You guys have skills that you can translate to $$$. Or you can be like me and spend loads of time doing stuff and not making a dime. At least not directly. Leave the establishment behind. You've done your time. Enjoy the freedoms you worked so hard to achieve. Treat yourself well. You've earned it.

Maybe the Doom and Gloom is too much of one or two people's opinion, and not enough fact. Perhaps there is a happier person around who could give you a better feeling about the changes. Sometimes presentation makes a big difference.