With a growing number of baby boomers (i.e., people born between 1946 and 1964) continuing to work well past the traditional retirement age, it’s apparent that today’s workers are redefining conventional ideas. In June 2022, the UK’s Office for National Statistics reported an all-time high of
1.47 million over-65s still in the workforce, especially in the more flexible industries like hospitality and the arts.
Instead of thinking of retirement as an abrupt end, people are now embracing the different phases of life and choosing to transition into retirement gradually by working part-time or being self-employed.
A different approach to retirement might not be everyone's cup of tea, but the old ideas of a quiet retirement certainly don't work for everyone anymore.
Why are people working longer?
As we're living longer, we can still be healthy and full of energy in our 60s, 70s, and beyond. So, retirement has become a flexible and customisable stage of life to be tailored to your own circumstances.
For some, working longer is a matter of choice. As an experienced worker, you may find your work fulfilling and want to continue contributing to your profession and society. Local communities are benefitting from tapping into older adults’ knowledge to
address workforce shortages.
Others have no choice but to keep working. The increasing costs of the weekly grocery shop and essential services have left some people unprepared, and they don't have enough savings or pensions to support the retirement lifestyle they want.
This begs the question: should we really be so rigid about the retirement age when everyone's circumstances are so different?
The current reality
If you choose to extend your working life – in whatever format that may look like – you might find it easier to maintain your social connections, stay mentally and physically active, and enjoy a sense of purpose.
Workplaces provide an environment where you can interact with colleagues, build friendships, and engage in activities that require problem-solving and critical thinking – all of which are
important for your mental well-being and can help combat feelings of loneliness or isolation.
That’s not to say that there won’t be challenges along the way. To be an attractive and realistic option for older workers, workplaces must be clear on how they address issues like age discrimination and make sure suitable job opportunities and benefits are accessible.
On New Job Today, you can browse over 170,000 live jobs to find the perfect part-time or flexible opportunity that matches your skills and depth of experience. With our user-friendly search filters, you can easily narrow down your options by location, salary range, job type, and more.
Retirement doesn’t have to be the end of your working life. It can be a new beginning, a chance to explore different avenues and continue contributing to society – whether that’s pursuing a late dream, starting a business, volunteering, or mentoring others.