The first talks about boomers filing for early retirement benefits from Social Security at the first possible opportunity (age 62.) Several of these boomers commented that they were concerned that the next president would reduce benefits and there was an urgency to getting into the system collecting checks to give themselves the best possible chance of being protected.

So that takes care of the 62-year-olds. (Although the whole point of the article is that if they live long enough, they’ll outlive their money, and that unless they’re going to die like tomorrow, it’s a stupid move.)

Now there’s the rest of us boomer young-un’s. We’re concerned, too...but don’t yet have the option to fortify our chances to get in on the benefits, even at the reduced early retirement rate. The whole retirement money/lifespan thing seems more suited to a game of chance the grim reaper should be playing with his friends, than anyone—especially you and me—should have to be thinking about between our adventure travel, pilates classes and the like.

Aside from all the variables (how long will I live? How much money will I need?) there’s the confusion factor. I honestly didn’t know that Social Security dollars would be taxed if a married couple makes more than 32k combined (including withdrawals from retirement funds…) and that benefits get cut $1 for each $2 you earn over $13,560. (Please don’t quote me on any of this. I’m telling you I’m confused.)

All I know is that so much for most boomers’ grand plans for ten, twenty years down the road of adding the Social Security benefits on top of the meaningful reduced-earnings part-time job they envision holding at 70 something. (After all, 8 out of ten boomers say they never want to retire, many because they enjoy working—just wanting more freedom and flexibility…)

Will the money hold out? Will the government cut our benefits? Will we live longer/shorter than the predictions? Will we not want to work after all, because it won’t make financial sense?

And the next set of questions: “How can one find peace of mind in the midst of so much uncertainty?” “and of course “What is the meaning of life?”

So is it any surprise that on the front page of “Life Section D” there’s a headline article about “a growing number of Americans are recognizing a need to develop their inner life.”

Of course we are. For even following the advice of the best financial planners, doing the best we can to deal with the chanciness, uncertainty and confusion about the future, in the end, when it comes to securing the best possible future for ourselves, pretty much all we can do is pray.

Carol Orsborn