In the article “Why Baby Boomers are choosing to 'unretire' and head back to work,” Jennifer Barnes, CEO of Optima Office, discusses the growing trend of retirees returning to work—and why both businesses and senior employees benefit from it.
Barnes explains that many retirees find themselves returning to work, not just for financial reasons but for the sense of purpose and engagement it brings:
“People have this big, grandiose dream of retiring and never having to work again, and yet three months into retirement, they realize they don’t like all the extra free time they have,” Barnes said. “They just want to be important again.”
According to a recent ResumeBuilder survey, 39% of retirees who have re-entered the workforce had previously retired but later decided to return. Many do so due to the rising cost of living and insufficient retirement savings, but for others, the social and emotional benefits are just as important. Nearly 45% of retirees who returned to work cited a loss of community and routine as a key factor.
Barnes highlights that retirees are not looking to work full-time but rather prefer flexible, part-time roles that allow them to focus on what they enjoy most. Optima Office has embraced this shift, incorporating retirees into their existing flexible work structure.
“While it often entails more logistics and administrative effort, the payout is more than worth it,” Barnes said.
As more companies recognize the value of experienced professionals, unretirement is becoming a viable option for both employees and businesses. With 38% of older workers planning to stay in the workforce for five or more years, the trend shows no signs of slowing down.
To learn more about why baby boomers are choosing to unretire, read the full article published in Employee Benefit News on February 27, 2025.