Retirement is increasingly becoming a transition to a different rhythm of work for many older Americans, rather than an abrupt end to employment. Financial pressures are prompting some to work during their retirement years, while others are returning to or remaining in the workforce for connection and personal fulfillment.
A survey by ResumeBuilder.com of more than 3,500 adults over the age of 65 found that nearly 1 in 8 seniors have already returned to work or plan to rejoin the workforce in 2026, while 16% said they never retired in the first place.
Among those who have returned, most re-entered the workforce before 2024. Another 13% returned in 2024, and an additional 13% in 2025. About 4% of seniors said they are currently applying for jobs in hopes of re-entering the workforce.
When asked why they continue to work or have returned, seniors most commonly cited enjoying work (54%) and managing the high cost of living (54%). Financial insecurity also plays a role, with 37% saying they have not saved enough for retirement. Other motivations include combating boredom (34%), concerns about potential changes to Social Security (26%), and worries about changes to Medicare (19%).
“For many seniors, retirement has become more flexible than final,” said Stacie Haller, chief career advisor at ResumeBuilder.com. “Rising living costs, concerns about long-term savings, and uncertainty around Social Security and Medicare are pushing more older Americans to either delay retirement or return to work after leaving the workforce.”
Haller noted that today’s workplace offers far more flexible opportunities for older professionals, with remote and hybrid roles, part-time work, and project-based positions making it easier for seniors to stay engaged on their own terms.
More than a third of seniors surveyed do not plan to retire until 2030 or later. Among others, 6% plan to retire by the end of 2025, 15% in 2026, and 23% in 2027. Another 13% say they do not plan to retire until 2028, and 9% until 2029. Among those continuing to work, 58% expect to work part-time, while 42% plan to work full-time, suggesting many seniors prefer a gradual transition rather than a full-time return to the workforce.
“For many, this stage of life becomes an opportunity to finally pursue work they’ve always been interested in, launch a long-considered business, or shift into more meaningful projects,” Haller adds.
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