For another perspective on the debate on how to live, where to live, and how much can you expect to live on in retirement, have a look at "As Good as it Gets" by Mike Edwards at the United States American Association of Retired Persons website (www.aarpmagazine.org).

In a survey of 16 nations, Australia, Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, France, Spain, Germany, Italy and Japan, the key quality-of-life issues important to older people and society in general are many: Australia and the US were the only countries that prohibit companies by law from giving their older employees the exit door at retirement age. Most grant benefits at age 65; France is lowest at age 60, a fact that is costing their public purse dearly these days.Spain's retirement benefit is the highest, 88 percent of average earnings is paid to the Spanish worker at retirement; no wonder that they have a high tax burden and lowest per capita income.For those on the receiving end of a small pension, not being able to work is a double penalty. In spite of declining birth rates and laments about not enough skilled workers, it is difficult (and almost impossible in Germany) to be employed as an older worker in the European Union, although discrimination laws will be in place by 2006. Experts remain unconvinced.The Netherlands was the lowest at 3.8 percent, Spain the highest - 11.3 percent - and the US somewhere in between at six percent.US has the highest, with Norway next, but there are huge differences in the amount of pensions paid out to retirees. Australia and Denmark are the most compassionate with more than 20 percent of older 65's receiving home help. The US is less than 10 percent.goes to the Swedes at 51.4 percent of GDP.50 percent of US workers have pension coverageIn some countries, employer pensions are legally required. American spend the most personally on health care, Finland and Ireland spend the least.Of the whole grouponly the US, a wealthy nation, does not mandate this coverage. 45 million of the US population have no health insurance, though many senior citizens are eligible for Medicare.88 percent of Canadians are covered, with some limitations; again the US scores the lowest.US babies born in 2004 can expect to live until age 77.3, in Japan, this age is 81.9. Everyone in civilised countries is pushing the longevity gap.

Conspicuously absent from this analysis were any Caribbean, Latin American, African, or Far East domiciles except for Australia and Japan. It appears that while they may be considered great vacation and climate spots they do not meet the criteria for long-term retirement residence.

The quality of retirement is very good in many of these countries. A strong feeling of social solidarity makes Europeans feel generous and more willing to support older people.

The Netherlands gives its wisdom-of-the-ages groups numerous perks, full generous pensions if you've lived a minimum of 50 years there whether you worked or not, subsidised health care, an annual $700 holiday allowance. This adds up to an average benefit per elder couple of about $45,000 per year. The Netherlands takes top honours, having created a society in which people have the luxury of growing old with refinement, well, well into their golden years.

Full government regulation of almost all health expenses by pressure on hospitals, doctors, and manufacturers. But waiting periods for treatments are long including heart surgery, hip replacements and hospital beds. Health costs strains are showing. Rising greater than the rate of inflation, governments are starting to levy co-pays, and other incidentals onto the users of services.

The tax burdenis high where the elderly are royally treated. The Dutch pay a top rate of 52 percent on income above $60,000, in addition to a VAT tax on 19 percent on most personal items, 12 percent on food and almost as high as Bermuda, a 40 percent tax on new cars.

But even taxes can only go so farFinland, faced with an ever increasing tax structure, has branched out to cover costs by legalising casinosLegal gambling in Finland (with 800,000 seniors out of 5.2 million population) is controlled by a government non-profit association which pumps $50 million a year into the Finnish economy for their care.

With governments with heavy social responsibilities having to cut costs, satisfaction with health systems is falling. Only 46 percent of Canadians say they are happy with their health plans, while Dutch citizens are negative at 70 percent.

Baby Boomers reject the labels old, seniors, golden years, retirement, gracious living etc. out of hand. As Vogue so succinctly put it, we are all on a path of new discovery. Age 40, is really still in the twenty something age-group, and age 60 is the new 40.

Many of us will never succumb to the adage that now is the time to slow down. There is too much to see, to accomplish and to experience in life

We want the right to work as long as we can, we want to stay physically active, we want to have a decent quality of life, we want to remain independent and in control of our own destiny as long as we can, and when the day comes that we cannot continue, we want to know that we can finally, ultimately, very, very late in old age, retire with dignity.

Is that so much to ask? The answer is that we have to provide it for ourselves. Start now.