Many of us think of our retirement years as a time to sit back, relax and enjoy the grandkids.

Yet with the economy, many say they aren't sure if they'll ever be able to retire.

A recent study found that most middle income baby boomers are expecting a retirement that's much different than their parents' retirement.

In fact, many are planning to work as long as they can. Laura Frappollo is planning to do just that.

"You work until you can afford to retire," said Frappollo.

She's a Human Resource manager for Virginia Eagle Distributing. She's been working there for 23 years and doesn't plan to retire any time soon. She's always saved for retirement but her priorities changed when her husband was out of work.

"He would be out of work at one point for almost a year. So that was kinda of difficult for us, luckily I had a really good job and we were able to get by, but the retirement suffered because of it," said Frappollo.

When times got tough, they used retirement money as emergency money.

"The retirement money that we had set aside we had to use for day to day expenses," said Frappollo.

"The biggest difference baby-boomers are quoting is that their parents retired based on age, this generation is retiring or making decisions more based on financial decisions and factors," said Certified Public Accountant, Adrian Taylor.

Taylor is a CPA at Yount, Hyde & Barbour. She says the economy makes retirement before 65 difficult. She says you should start saving as soon as you can.

"If you're able to save, in your 20s just $2,000 a year, by the end of your 20s, you'll have $20,000. If you saved no more than what you did in your 20s, $2,000 a year, by the time you're at the end of your 30s, you'll have $40,000. It will double," said Taylor.

"Planning is really crucial... really crucial. And sometimes the best laid plans, go awry. So, it doesn't always work out the way you expect it to," said Frappollo.

Taylor says to make the most of your opportunities and time before retirement.

"Be prepared and plan. These decisions are not easy decisions. Earlier generations had pension plans and benefits with their employers that our generation is seeing less and less of," said Taylor.

If your employer offers a 401(k), you should enroll. If they don't, you should set up an individual retirement arrangement (IRA).

For more information on saving for retirement, talk to your financial adviser, bank or accountant.

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