We have know for some time now that Microsoft (Skype's owner) had the intention of killing off its own Messenger product and use Skype as its younger more hip replacement. The Next Web is now reporting that MS notified it's users that March 15 2013 is the day. You are already able to log into Skype with your MS account and your messenger contacts can be migrated to Skype.
I received my Microsoft notification email yesterday evening.