Working After Retirement? Exploring Alternatives for Aging Workers

Our Cincinnati & Dayton staffing agency fills positions of several kinds, including temp to hire, part-time, temporary and direct hire jobs. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at “part-time unretirement” or working after retirement as a perfect option for people not ready to stop working.

Have you ever heard of unretirement? It’s a growing trend amongst Baby Boomers in which people go back to working after retirement, or opt to continue working despite being close to retirement age.

The labor force among people age 75 and over is expected to increase by 96.5 percent during the next decade.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics

Unretirement Explained

Being “unretired” is increasingly popular nowadays. There are two primary reasons: First, the retirement rate increased dramatically during the pandemic. For health reasons and personal ventures, economists noted that more Americans were retiring earlier than average. Now the number of retirees back in the workforce is growing. The second reason has to do with the Baby Boomer generation, which includes workers in their late 50s and 60s. With the average lifespan increasing, there is a need for income beyond the typical retirement age. There has also been fear that programs like Medicare and Social Security will suffer with the influx of people in this age range. It’s important to note that you’re free to draw your Social Security benefits once you’ve reached full retirement age, even if “unretire” or continue working after retirement.

It’s no secret that retirement can be daunting for most people. Perhaps you aren’t ready for such a major life change, or you want to continue making an income. Here are some benefits of unretirement:

Benefits of Working After Retirement

Extra income. Perhaps the most straight-forward benefit of unretirement is getting a paycheck. Continuing to work can provide peace of mind for you and your loved ones that you can continue to pay your living expenses.

Connections. Continuing to work prevents the social isolation that some retirees struggle with. Keeping up with people in your industry keeps your mind on its A game, too.

Capitalize on your skill set. It’s understandable to not want to lose the skills that you’ve gained or the craft that you’ve mastered. Continuing to hone your skills can be satisfying and prolong the sense of accomplishment you have when looking back at your career.

Pursue a new career. Launching a second career presents an opportunity to pursue a job you have always wanted to have. If you are more financially free, you can even go after a job that isn’t as financially stable. Unretirement is the perfect opportunity to reinvent yourself, although there’s nothing wrong with sticking with the same industry.

Flexibility. Taking a new job after you retire can allow for greater flexibility when it comes to a variety of aspects, including hours. Part-time unretirement is a great option.

How to Unretire

There are a few steps to take when you decide to unretire (or retire from retirement, if you will). When heading back into the workforce, you aren’t committed to landing a full-time job. Opting for a part-time job allows you to enjoy the benefits of retirement, like time off with your family, while still earning a paycheck. Be sure to update your resume and consider utilizing an online platform like LinkedIn to create a virtual presence. Rely on your network to find open positions, perhaps even at the same company an old friend is with.

When you want to keep working after retirement, a staffing agency can help. It can be hard to find part-time work. With the labor shortage, employers crave skilled workers to step in and cover their empty positions. Now is the time to get back into a job you love. If you’re looking to unretire, our staffing services can help you find the perfect part-time job.