They do what every other generation of retirees has done ... move in with their adult kids and drive them insane. Seriously, like every other generation, some intelligent Baby Boomers will have put together an adequate enough savings and retirement nest egg to keep them financially independent and comfortable in their sunset years. Others will need financial help from their children and/or government agencies. And some will actually have to move in with those unlucky kids or other relatives.

The Baby Boomer generation was born when I and the rest of the 10 million veterans came home from World War II service in late 1945 and 1946. The two-sentence joke at the time ... Question: Hey, soldier, you've been away from your wife for two years. What will you do when you get home? Answer: The second thing I'm going to do is take off my back pack."

That sort of sums up my World War II generation's priority and intent for starting a family. The first new members of those ex-GI families are now in their early 60s. Ready or not, they must consider the inevitability of retirement.

At the time of the Baby Boom, I was just past my 20th birthday, broke and starting college, so I didn't get in on all the fun. However, I was fortunate enough to get to that task eventually, and am thankful that my kids came along and are now out on their own. I had a long, satisfying career until I retired 15 years ago. No, I do not live with my kids, for which I'm sure they are eternally grateful.

I was also fortunate ... and very lucky ... to have put away enough in savings and investments during my working years. With interest on my savings, adequate company pension and Social Security checks coming in every month, I live comfortably in my sunset years. The years are also full of sunrise and sunshine, because I'm spending those years in Arizona.

Although I follow the news, I'm not familiar with the financial state of Social Security, except for some dire warnings that it will run out of money some day, and that the retirement age may be upped from 65 to 70. I'm also aware that job security for the Baby Boomer generation has not been as it was in my working days. However, the rule for preparing to retire are basically the same: Put some money away for when your working days are over, because you'll need it.

The stock market is still a valid way to help put together a retirement package for the intelligent working man or woman. A whole variety of other savings, insurance and investment plans are available. Many companies, such as the one where I worked for 25 years, offer investment plans with company matching contributions. I put in the maximum for more than 20 years, and that nest egg is the anchor of my retirement savings.

I know inflation, high prices and the lack of traditional job security are important factors for people anticipating retirement today. However, every working man and woman, even as early as their 20s, should start and maintain an intelligent method of preparing for that day when they'll be put out to pasture for their sunset years. And coming from someone who has been out there for a long time, that sunny pasture can be very green.

Learn more about this author, Ted Sherman.
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