HAMILTON -- When Mel Soucie retired six years ago he settled into a picturesque lakefront home, planted gardens and built a boat. But he found his so-called golden years stagnant. He was bored. So the former director of economic research for Human Resources Development Canada, went back to work.

It was "for a number of reasons," says the labour market economist, who started his own consulting business. "Because it was really interesting work -- it was research work. The money was good."

While 62 is the average age when most folks retire, with people living longer and healthier lives this may not be a viable option any more, says Judy Cutler, director of communications at Canada's Association for the Fifty-Plus.

"More and more people have to go back to work because people are afraid that they're going to outlive their money," says Cutler.

In fact, the almost 20-year-old organization known as CARP has even had to change its name to reflect this trend, says Cutler.

"It stands for Canadian Association of Retired Persons, but we don't use that because a lot of our members are not retired, for exactly those reasons."

Soucie, now 61, says he's like most people who retire.

"You realize the cost of living," he says. "It looks good on paper -- you're comfortable -- but it doesn't give you all those little extras you would like to have."

Soucie's business keeps him busy but still gives him more flexibility than his original day job.

"I'm doing challenging work, I get to pick what I want to do now because I've got a comfortable income and I'm in control of it."

Another golden years go-getter who can't get enough of the working world is Doug Barber. The 65-year-old is participating on just as many boards as he did when he retired as chief executive from Burlington's Gennum Corp. in 2000.

"I couldn't imagine doing nothing," says the Dundas resident, who still sits on Gennum's corporate board.

While he is "officially retired," Barber has been so busy chairing and sitting on committees and conducting research that he has even had to hire a part-time employee, who works out of his home.

"I used to have piles of paperwork this high," he says, pointing just above his knees.

Paul Gordon thought it was time for a change in 1997 after almost 35 years with the Hamilton-Wentworth district school board.

"I was at my maximum salary and my wife and I had chosen to retire together and we were going to travel," says the former principal.

The 61-year-old joined Hamilton Motor Products, selling cars, and found his role as a former educator boosted his sales. "I get former colleagues, teachers and students coming here all the time," he says. "It keeps me busy and it allows me to make larger donations to the ALS."

The ALS foundation (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig's disease) is a cause that is close to his heart. In 1999, his wife was diagnosed with the debilitating disease. He took leave from his job to care for her. She died in November.

"This has actually been a saving grace," he says of his return to the workforce. "I really enjoy people and I really enjoy cars. I'm sort of blending the two things and the real reason is because I'm up and out. I'm not sitting."