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The progressive aging of society demands greater attention to the professional aspects of middle-aged people. This study aimed to understand the meanings that 10 Brazilians between 50 and 59-years old attribute to work in a moment of career transition. It is a phenomenological research that used individual comprehensive narratives, elaborated from a dialogical encounter with each participant, whose meanings and experiences comprised a synthesis narrative, representative of the whole. The structuring elements: a) professional transition as a factor of suffering; b) construction of personal and social identity through work; c) work as a source of life purpose; d) work as the main space for social interaction; e) work as a financial resource and subsistence were discussed based on Gendlin's Experiential Approach. Tensions, challenges and the existential importance of work as a meaningfulness mediator are described. The need for better preparation for work transitions in this stage of life is shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]