Retirement is an idea that could be headed for the dustbin–if Marc Freedman has anything to say about it.

“For the last half century, we’ve had a cultural vision of success in later life that focused on liberation from work,” says Freedman, founder and CEO of Civic Ventures, a think tank focused on engaging older adults.

That vision may have outlived its time-the result of financial need, expected labor shortages in certain areas of the workforce, and greater longevity. What’s coming, Freedman thinks, will be longer working lives. The question is, working at what?

Freedman’s answer: Create opportunities for older adults to start new careers-paid or volunteer-that allow them to make a positive social contribution in later life.

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