Name: Grant Aufderhaar
Age: 63
Home town: Chantilly, Va.
As director of technology for scientific research firm Aerospace Corporation, Grant Aufderhaar regularly worked 50 to 60 hours a week.
Last spring he gave up his position and now works solely on special projects, putting in about 10 hours a week. He spends his free time volunteering to help the homeless and traveling with his wife, a geriatric care manager.
After 18 years with the same firm, he is often asked to do more than he wants to do. But he says the projects he works on are very satisfying, and it's nice to know his opinion is still valued.
"This is a better balance for me at this stage of life," Aufderhaar says, "but I'm still making a contribution."
NEXT: A practice-run at retirement
