I have a fair number of circular discussions with people these days.

Study after study has concluded that Boomers don’t have enough money saved for retirement, particularly given the long lives that most will lead. So, I get asked repeatedly, “Don’t Boomers have to work?”

Well, in fact most want to work.

“But, really, don’t they have to work?”

Yes, I guess so. But I’m not sure it’s a relevant question. Somehow it feels a little bit like reminding people that sex is essential for procreation. I don’t think that is the major factor affecting most people’s practices.

The McKinsey Institute just issued an analysis of Boomers’ savings. The release says, “The net effect is that boomers carry far more debt than other generations. Because of inadequate saving, two-thirds of baby boomers are unprepared for retirement, defined as able to sustain 80% of their spending as they age. The solution is to work longer. If the median age of retirement were to rise two years, from 62.6 today to 64.1 in 2015, the number of 'unprepared' households would be cut in half.”

I generally love McKinsey’s research and it’s always good to document the specifics of a situation. But really, this is hardly news.

Is it helpful to focus on people need to do something that they want to do regardless? As early as 2004, in our research, 34% of the entire workforce answered that question “never!” The percentages have increased over time, and with age.

In a study funded by HSBC, money was one of five nearly equally rated reasons that people in more than a dozen countries gave for wanting to continue working. The other reasons were to keep mentally stimulated, keep physically active, connect with others, and have something meaningful and valuable to do with your time.

A study funded by Merrill Lynch found that 71 percent of adults plan to work in some capacity post-age 65. Almost half of all those adults never plan to stop working completely. Among those who expect to work in retirement and eventually stop, the average anticipated tenure of their "retirement career" will be over nine years and the average age at which they will stop working completely is over 70.

Yes, people certainly want to work in different ways – with more flexibility and control. Most do not want to work as hard or as long as they are in their 50’s for another thirty years. But most want to work. My latest book, Retire Retirement: Career Strategies for the Boomer Generation, is, as I like to say, my love letter to those of you who are planning for that transition. I hope you find it helpful and encouraging.

So, no argument that most Boomers will need some extra income to match their long life expectancies. Happily, for most, that should not be an issue. For once, wants and needs align.

What are your plans? Have you begun planning for a second career?