We are excited to join forces with Symetra and announce today that they will sponsor the $100,000 Purpose Prize for Future Promise in 2013.

The Purpose Prize honors individuals who demonstrate extraordinary achievement and commitment to bettering society. Now in its eighth year, the Purpose Prize is the country's only large-scale investment in people over 60 who are combining their passion and experience for social good in encore careers. Since its inception in 2006, the program has awarded 78 people with cash prizes of up to $100,000.

There's so much talk about how people over 50 are having the toughest time rebounding from the recession that we at Encore.org wanted to uncover the stories of those who have overcome obstacles and those who are using their encore careers to help others hard hit.

Recently I asked for your stories, and you shared your many passions, journeys and triumphs. We were honored to read them. We picked five favorites to share.

By Sara Ying Rounsaville

In the past few days, people in encore careers have been making big news. Second acts for the greater good are gaining momentum and continuing to garner serious national media attention. There’s the patient advocate in The New York Times, the children’s chorus founder in a new Wall Street Journal series, the food bank worker in a Reuters column. Coming up are features on the PBS NewsHour and BBC World Service.

As I tour the country, introducing people to The Encore Career Handbook, folks everywhere are telling me they’re worried about the still-sputtering economy. If you’re in the job market, finding work can seem daunting, and a little scary.

We at Encore.org often encourage you to ask yourself: What’s next? Many of you have told us you’re looking for ways to apply your years of experience toward helping others – while continuing to earn a living. Our partner Next Avenue, a PBS system website for people 50 and older, is a great resource to help you shape your second act.

By Richard Eisenberg

Is it really possible for somebody in their 50s or 60s to embark on an “encore career,” one that lets you earn income and make a social impact? Or do you need to be wealthy to be able to do it, since the new work would typically be at a nonprofit?

Those questions kept bubbling up at Encore 2013, the awe-inspiring conference I just attended in San Francisco, hosted by Encore.org, the nonprofit organization dedicated to second acts for the greater good.

As Encore Career Handbook author Marci Alboher has been touring the country, people have been asking her lots of questions about one resource she recommends enthusiastically in her book: LinkedIn. With more than 187 million members, LinkedIn operates the world's largest professional network. It could be the key to finding your encore career, work that makes a difference in the lives of others.

It was with great sadness that we learned that Purpose Prize winner Inez Killingsworth died January 17 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Killingsworth was an indefatigable advocate for the collective power of people acting together to make change in their communities. As the founder of Empowering and Strengthening Ohio's People (ESOP), she led a fight against foreclosures and predatory lending practices that has only become more important with the passing years.

Retirement isn’t likely to make it onto any lists of hot trends for 2013. But if retirement is out, what’s in? For a growing number of people, it’s continued work. But not the same old work. Work that feels right. Work that matters. And work that may prove to be more significant than what came before. An encore career.

Want to get a move on your own encore? Here are 5 models for how it’s done, which you can also learn about by watching this recent segment on HuffPost Live.