The second act.

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There was a time when middle-aged workers accepted their lot in life and continued to punch the time card or put on the suit and tie because they felt they had no other option.

Those days are gone.

The graying of America, as thousands of baby boomers move deeper into middle age, is creating a huge demographic that doesn't want to, or because of monetary considerations, can't retire early. Be it by choice or necessity, workers are stepping out into new vocational territory while in their 40s, 50s and even 60s.

People are living longer, more active lives than at any other time in human history. With many saying 60 is the new 40, plenty of people in late middle age feel they have many productive years left, which may or may not be spent doing the occupation they've done for the previous, say, 35 years.

Meanwhile, employers are learning that older workers have a lot to offer, not only in technical skills, but also in social situations and in problem-solving that those in their 20s and 30s simply don't possess. Who doesn't have a story about a person in mid-life defusing a sticky situation, or imparting useful advice to a young colleague, or sensing the proper moment to successfully close a sale?

Beginning on page 12, experts and mid-life career changers talk about the ins and outs of being an older worker and examine the challenges and rewards of taking on the second act.