From observations we find that the OH luminosity LOH of an OH/IR star increases with R2, where R is the size of the masing region. From this correlation we deduce that the mass loss rate M, the expansion velocity ve and LOH are related by LOH ~(M/ve)2. Next we consider the large range that is observed in LOH and the steep OH luminosity distribution for OH/IR stars. Both facts can be explained by the postulate that these objects undergo accelerated mass loss, and thus steadily increase their OH luminosity. We propose that OH/IR stars are at the extreme end of the Asymptotic Giant Branch and that many of them are in the process of blowing off their entire envelope in a superwind phase. Their mass loss rate during this superwind, as deduced from OH observations of the circumstellar shell, is given by a simple modification of the Reimers equation. This modification connects the superwind continuously to the Reimers wind and it provides observational evidence for the formation of a planetary nebula.