Retirement is a recent phenomenon, with accompanying financial stress as income drops, and psychological strain from a loss of career identity. However, individual differences in attitudes and expectations vary with age, education, income, and between retirees and non-retirees. Needs after retirement may remain the same as in pre-retirement while activities drop; or activities may remain the same but needs may change, or both activities and needs may change. Successful retirement may require professional or lay counseling which recommends different methods of keeping active. Additional advice may be obtained from various organizations and agencies. Experts observe individual differences among increasing numbers of people planning early retirement, while among workers over age 65, there are also differences between those from the lowest income to those from the highest. The value and importance of pre-retirement planning and counseling are heavily stressed. (LS)