WASHINGTON, DC, Jul 1 — More senior citizens are saying, “I’m too young to retire.” Some simply can’t afford to be a retiree; others remain in the workforce because it makes them feel productive. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics says that by 2028, nearly one in four seniors 65 years old and older will be working. They’ll be staying on the job or they’ll come out of retirement in search of work that can give them a sense of accomplishment.
The senior living company, Provision Living, conducted a survey of more than 1,000 seniors between the ages of 65 and 85 who were working full time or part time. The poll found that 47% of respondents wished they could retire but were still working to make ends meet. Meanwhile, 53% said they chose to stay on the job, full time or part time, because they could. Among the old timers who were still working, most of them — 45% — said they enjoy it, 18% said they would be bored were it not for their jobs and six percent work for social engagement.
A more recent poll conducted last month by CNBC focused on men and women who quit or lost their jobs during the height of the pandemic, among them a significant number of retirees. It found that 94% of them would consider getting back to work but only for the right job and the right pay. Meanwhile, 68% of retirees who participated in the survey said they would consider getting back to work for the right pay and a flexible work schedule.
There was a time when older workers found it hard to find a job. These days, however, hiring seniors seems to be a trend. The Great Senior Living website reports that “many employers now actively look to hire seniors. More and more of them are starting to recognize that experienced and mature workers often have strengths that some younger workers lack. For example, many older workers exhibit strengths like loyalty, a strong work ethic and a good attitude.”
The online job site, Indeed.com offers advice for seniors who are deciding to go back to work. “If you’re returning to work out of a desire to keep busy, interact with your community or explore a new career field, your job out of retirement may look different from your previous career. This can be an exciting opportunity to discover new occupations or develop existing hobbies. If you’re an avid gardener, you could explore part-time employment at a local gardening center. If you’re a golf enthusiast, consider applying to a sporting goods store or golf course…Those with extensive experience in an industry may even choose to capitalize on their background and begin an independent venture. Starting your own business can be an exciting opportunity.”
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I enjoyed working and I was good at my trade, but after dealing with enough Millennials and seeing that ‘good enough’ and ‘close enough’ were the operating words, I decided that working is for chumps…
Let those Millennials bit₵h and complain about their lives…I hope they die broke, crippled and empty…
Retired a little over a year ago, full retirement, took a PT job to keep the dust off and a little walking around money. I had no idea I would have to actually walk. Things were going so well before Brandon.
Probably the worst thing anyone can do is to walk away from a job they’re good at and enjoy doing. If you look forward to going to work every day and you actually do “meaningful” work don’t stop – die in place. When it’s time to go, you’ll know. The difficult thing is to know when to leave, give up the seat and become Mr or Mrs Nobody and live on a per centage of your previous paychecks with social security. I graduated from high school at 17 and retired from my first job after 30 yrs. Took a 4 year or so break between jobs and flew airplanes for a living. Then retired from the second job after 20 yrs. It was time to retire….I’m OK with being Nobody and having no schedule, duties, obligations or bosses- well, I do have a wife I have to answer to….
Feel productive? Data shows over 65% of seniors on Social Security have to hold jobs to survive the BidenEconomy.
When I first enrolled in Social Security, I asked if most people start collecting benefits at age 62 or 65 or 70. The agent told me without hesitation that most elect to start collecting SS at age 62. But if the benefit increases 8% each year until the age of 70, you can see how different those 2 payments will look.
I understand that some must start SS earlier, but, if you can, work for a few more years to get the bigger payment. With longevity in our family, I thought it wise to wait until reaching age 70 to receive my full payment. But because I divorced after 20 years of marriage and did not remarry, and was born before 1954, I was able to collect half of my ex-spouse’s SS payment while my benefit grew.
So my 2 points are: Work longer, if you can. And if you’re thinking of divorce, wait until after the 10-year mark and don’t remarry. Check with your SS office for details before making changes.
After taking care of my elderly mother for years, I moved to my dream property and restarted my horticulture business. I grow plants to sell at the local farmers’ market. Everyone has made me feel so welcome here, and I thoroughly enjoy the social interaction at the market. Plus, customers can take advantage of this experience I’ve accrued over the past 50 years.That’s one of the biggest advantages of hiring mature employees—our experience.
Well reasoned response Kim.
Thanks, PaulE. Now it’s time to start packing for tomorrow’s market. Enjoy your weekend, and Happy Birthday, America!
The problem with early Social Security (SS) retirement is that your COLA increases depend on inflation. During the Obama-Biden Admin, Obama omitted fuel
The monthly payment gets the same COLA regardless of when you start taking SS. Everyone gets the same percentage increase.
Taking SS early—that is, before you turn 70—means you’ll be stuck with that lower payment for the rest of your life. That’s why, in my comment, I suggested working longer and delaying starting SS payments. If you had a few years in your working life with little income, those extra years working will help boost your average income. SS counts the income in your best 35 years when calculating your SS payment.
There is something to consider if you started drawing benefits early. If, in the first year (check with your SS office), you regret taking early SS payments, you can pay back all those payments and request starting at a later date. That way, you can continue working, building your SS credits, so when you do start collecting, those checks will be for a higher amount. For the rest of your life.
With biden as president, our SS checks increased about 5.5%, I think it was, for this year. They look at the core inflation rate, which excludes food and energy. But, of course, Medicare premiums increased, offsetting most of the gain in net SS payments. And, as we know, inflation under biden has increased astronomically, wiping out any gains in SS payments. In fact, we’re doing much worse because inflation is so high.
I agree with you however, taking SS early is generally thought of as taking it before your “full retirement” age which is 66-67. When you reach full retirement age you can collect SS and make as much as you want working with no penalties.
Yes, but your SS payment still continues to grow until you turn 70. I understand that, to SS, “taking benefits early” refers to taking them before FRA, but to me, waiting until turning 70 to collect the full benefit is worth working for a few more years. With inflation hammering our financial stability, it makes even more sense now.
Same thing happened during Obama DESTROYING the UNITED STATES of AMERICA for 8 Years.
Now same thing happening again under DICTATOR Beijing biden trying to finish DESTROYING the UNITED STATES of AMERICA.
AMERICANS couldn’t enjoy retirement with Obama and they can’t enjoy retirement now with DICTATOR Beijing biden.
AMERICANS could enjoy retirement under PRESIDENT TRUMP. We got to KEEP our Savings, IRA’s, 401K’s, and Extra Money with PRESIDENT TRUMP.
That’s why biden’s aide said yesterday that AMERICANS will continue to pay High Fuel Prices to Defend the ‘LIBERAL WORLD ORDER.’
NOT DEFEND the UNITED STATES of AMERICA but to DEFEND ‘LIBERAL WORLD ORDER.’
REMEMBER THAT AMERICA come Midterm Election time.
Biden
Well stated Bruce B