Providing insight into the changing post-retirement landscape, a recent survey revealed that more than half (53 percent) of workers approaching retirement in the next five years believe they will likely return to work.
In terms of their next move, the majority of those approaching retirement said they will change industries (68 percent) and of those who already “unretired” and returned to work, 65 percent changed industries.
What’s more, nearly 80 percent of both groups said they want to make a meaningful impact in their communities in their post-retirement years, such as through volunteerism or a role involving caregiving, teaching or giving back.
According to the survey, important motivators for returning to work for those who have retired were fighting boredom (44 percent) or keeping their minds sharp (22 percent), while finding new challenges and fulfillment were the most common motivators for those approaching retirement.
Catherine Collinson, CEO of Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, reaffirmed that with people living longer than ever, it’s important to focus more on maintaining a sense of purpose than holding on to the outdated benchmark of retiring at age 65.
“With Boomers blazing the way, full retirement is no longer a point in time,” Collinson said. “The transition could be a decade or more, and involve shifting gears and working in a different capacity or finding a flexible arrangement, all with more time for family.”
To help workers start thinking about how to make the most of their post-retirement years, an online career assessment tool, UnRetireYourself .com, asks users about their interests, skills and ideal work environment before recommending categories of jobs that might suit them.
Finding a fulfilling post-retirement career is a driving factor for many older adults. Many find fulfillment as a professional caregiver. Others find new career or volunteer opportunities that fit their skills and passions, allowing them to do something they love or challenging them in a way their previous career might not have.
So what are the some of the hottest post-retirement jobs? According to Tim Driver, CEO of RetirementJobs .com, today’s older workers are considering a wide array of flexible options. “Retail sales clerks and bank tellers are among the most popular options, as are jobs that allow you to work from home, such as online tutoring,” Driver said. “And caregiving is often a job where creativity is rewarded – giving you the ability to create activities for older adults and get a peek into what older life looks like.”
To learn more about caregiving opportunities, visit homeinstead.com.
Rachel Carson is the owner of the Home Instead Senior Care franchise serving The Lowcountry since 1997. rachel.carson@homeinstead.com
