The growing phenomenon of “unretirement,” where senior citizens return to work past retirement, is becoming increasingly prevalent in the United States. While this trend allows seniors to remain active and contribute to society, it also exposes the struggle many face due to inadequate retirement savings and limited social security benefits.
Numerous individual stories illuminate this trend. Hope Murray, an octogenarian, returned to work because she couldn’t afford living costs. In her 70s, Susan Thompson needed income for her basic needs, while nonagenarian war veteran John Anderson sought a part-time job for productivity and financial independence. This trend stretches beyond the U.S., highlighted by French senior Raymond Leblanc, who re-entered the workforce due to rising costs of living.
Interestingly, the 75+ age group is increasingly entering the job market, doubling projections for the following decade. This indicates improved health among seniors and a desire for continued societal contribution, signaling the need for adaptive workplaces. Financial needs and social interaction motivate seniors to remain in or re-join the workforce, hence the pressure on policymakers and businesses to accommodate this trend.
Certain factors have facilitated this increase in older workforce representation, such as advancements in healthcare, longer life expectancies, more comfortable workplace options, and technological improvements.
Growing unretirement: seniors rejoining workforce
These have provided more remote work opportunities, enabling seniors to work from home efficiently. Furthermore, anti-age discrimination government policies have contributed to the rising presence of older individuals in the workforce. This has resulted in organizations recognizing and valuing older employees’ experience and expertise, contributing to a more diverse work environment.
However, the bitter reality exists that many seniors continue to work due to inadequate finances to support a retirement lifestyle, shedding light on the inequality in retirement planning. The “tale of two retirements” concept illustrates this social disparity, underscoring the necessity for improved financial planning and more inclusive social support systems.
Changes in retirement plans and the potential exhaustion of the Social Security trust fund by the mid-2030s further compound pressure on retirees. Individuals like Heidi Brockway have been driven back to work when their pensions proved insufficient. This situation accentuates the need for reformed retirement financial planning and for societal perceptions of elderly workers to evolve.
