It's not surprising that the generation who said never trust anyone under 30 would reinvent retirement. As baby boomers continue to retire, the golden years are looking very different compared to those of their grandparents. For some, hitting 65 or even 70 doesn't mean leaving the workplace and not because of financial necessity. All the same, if you find yourself feeling a little at sea as you approach retirement yourself, the tips below can help you make the most of this time in your life.

Understand Your Finances

Whether you spent your working years mostly trying to make ends meet or you saved diligently for retirement, you need to start with a realistic picture of how much money you have. The good news is that chances are it's more than you think. First, don't forget to account for social security in addition to whatever you have saved for retirement. Second, you might have assets that are more valuable than you realize. For example, now that you no longer need to live close to your job, you might want to sell your home and move somewhere you've always wanted to be. Chances are your home has appreciated in value. There may be assets in less obvious places as well. You probably bought a life insurance policy to protect your children, but now that they are adults, you might have considered letting your policy lapse. Instead, take a look at a guide on choosing the best life settlement company and sell it instead, getting the best price for your policy that you can.

Keep Working

If you didn't love what you did for a living, this might seem like the last thing you'd want to choose in the years ahead, but working can look very different when you don't have to do it to survive. Maybe you'd like to take a part-time job at a bookstore or a museum that you love, or you might even want to start your own business. The extra income that isn't tied to the stress of your old job can be a nice boost, and the work itself can be rewarding and get you out into the community each day. Alternately, you might want to consider volunteering. Your volunteer work might draw on your professional background, or it might be something completely different.

Pursue a Dream

People are living longer, healthier lives, and that means that even though their days in the workplace may be behind them, they are still perfectly capable of pursuing that lifelong dream of sailing a boat around the world or hiking a long-distance trail. If you'd rather take it easy, there are plenty of more sedentary activities that may be in reach at last now that the kids are grown and there's money in the bank. Some colleges offer free education to seniors. Older people are finding fulfillment in finally having time in their lives for painting or writing. And while some grandparents might shy away from the assumption that they can be full-time child care providers, many will welcome this time to build bonds with their grandchildren and other family members.