SANTA ANA, Calif. — We have met the enemy and he is us.

Walt Kelly — he drew the comic strip Pogo — first used that phrase on a 1970 Earth Day poster.

This may be the year to resurrect that illustration.

This, in fact, may be the year millions of Americans — particularly women — hobble or toss away millions in retirement benefits.

In 2008, some 9 million boomers — born from 1946 to 1964 — turn 62. That makes them eligible for early Social Security.

And about half are expected to do just what their parents generally did — file for benefits at the youngest possible age.

This despite the fact they are projected to be the longest lived generation to date. About 86 years for women and 83 years for men.

Financial experts say retiring early is a mistake. Boomers, particularly women, can outlive their money.

Only about 5 percent of retirees wait until their full retirement age to claim benefits, says Stephen Goss, chief actuary for the Social Security Administration.

Social Security says if you live to be 77, you "break even" if you take early benefits. That is, a retiree who dies before that age would do better taking benefits early. But those who live beyond 77 would earn more by delaying benefits.

Then there are taxes.

Retirees with other income could owe taxes on a huge chunk of benefits.

But taking benefits early is only a portion of the retirement time-bomb boomers face.

Thousands of women are forced into early retirement to become caregivers to aging parents. Thousands are losing their jobs to downsizing and most have trouble finding comparable jobs after age 50. So they make less money and end up with less money on which to retire.

The truth is there is no one answer for everyone.

Expect to hear presidential candidates debate whether or not Social Security and Medicare will remain solvent as the 77 million in the boomer generation retire.