There was a day, not so long ago, when many people's lives fell neatly into three distinct stages- they were educated, embarked upon a career and then retired. The date at which people chose to retire was usually in line with their state retirement age, entailing 60 for women and 65 for men. This literally meant clearing your desk or your workbench on your 60th or 65th birthday, and facing a work-free future.