Retirement fever is sweeping our office. Many of my coworkers are in the 55- to 65-year-old range. And every single one is talking about, thinking about, dreaming about, retirement. Retirement now. The fever is contagious.

Among us, we have several hundred years' worth of training and experience. We have the kind of knowledge and background that can't be condensed into handbooks and guidelines. We have had the experiences that come along once in a decade but are critical to our mission when they occur.

What will the newcomers do, the ones who are hired to fill our shoes, sit in our chairs, rearrange our desks? Our knowledge and experience goes with us, out the door. Will they have to learn the hard way, making avoidable mistakes along the way?

My position "grew up" along with my tenure of it, it evolved from the job description to something very different. I spend only a small portion of my time doing the main job as described in the bulletin. It was a process of changing as the job changed and as the times demanded. I guess the newly promoted person will have to learn the hard way.

Thinking in the more inclusive way, the same could be said for many areas of our economy and society. The loss from the workplace of the Baby Boomer generation (one third of all Americans) will have a big impact. I'm on the leading edge, but there are millions behind me.

Retirement fever!