If you’re considering returning to work after retiring or ‘unretiring’, as it’s come to be known, you’re not alone.
In fact, this 2017 study found that approximately one in four UK retirees return to the workforce. And our own analysis of ONS data shows that with the cost of living crisis, even more people are considering doing so.
What’s more, the ONS reported that nearly 100,000 early retirees re-entered the workforce in the 12 months leading up to March 2023.
Although ‘unretiring’ is a popular choice among retirees, especially within the first five years of retirement, it won’t be the right decision for everyone.
To help you decide whether it’s for you, we’ve pulled together a list of things that can be useful to think about before returning to work after retirement.
If this is something you’re considering, you might find it useful to sign up for global law firm A&O Shearman’s ReStart Employability Programme. Supporting people over 50 with finding work since 2017, this free 14-week course offers a mix of coaching, one-to-one mentoring, and practical workshops designed to equip people with the confidence and self-awareness they need to re-enter the workforce.
What are the benefits of returning to work?
1. Returning to work can boost your finances
One of the most obvious benefits of returning to work after retirement is that it gives you an extra source of income. Maybe, like many people, you’ve found yourself spending your savings more quickly than expected, or perhaps you just want to improve your financial situation.
In any case, going back to work, either part or full-time, can help boost your finances.
2. Returning to work can improve brain health
The benefits of returning to work after retirement have also been linked with improved brain health.
For example, this study suggests that working longer is associated with a decreased risk of dementia. This is because, by challenging ourselves to perform new tasks daily, physical, functional, and chemical changes occur in the brain, which can help keep it active and healthy.
As we gain life experience, we’re required to spend more time actively seeking out new skills and experiences if we are to continue stimulating our brains. If we don’t do this, we can enter ‘autopilot’ mode and no longer challenge our brains to create new learning pathways, which can lead to cognitive decline.
Returning to work can be a great way to boost brain health while learning new skills.
Looking to transfer your skills to a new role after a career break and not sure where to start?
We can all feel a little rusty in job applications. ReStart empowers individuals of all backgrounds to polish their skills and confidence so they can successfully re-gain employment or launch a new career direction. Through a blend of virtual and in-person workshops, individual coaching from accredited coaches and 1:1 mentoring, you can tackle applications with a refreshed approach.
3. Returning to work can help with loneliness
For some, retirement can be a chance to enjoy socialising with friends and family after a busy career. However, for others, retirement can be an entirely different experience.
For many of us, work provides a large amount of our day-to-day social interactions. Therefore, after retiring, it’s common to find yourself feeling lonely. This Age UK report tells us that there are 1.4 million chronically lonely older adults in the UK, and this number is predicted to rise to two million by 2026.
Loneliness is considered to be a major public health problem in the UK which can lead to mental health conditions (like depression) and physical problems.
Loneliness and social isolation are thought to increase the chances of developing heart disease or suffering a stroke, as well as putting us at greater risk of cognitive decline and dementia. It’s thought that social isolation can be as detrimental to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day or having an alcohol use disorder.
Going back to work can be an excellent way to combat loneliness and foster social connections, thereby helping you look after your physical and mental health.
4. Returning to work can prevent boredom
For some, retirement can be a liberating experience. Not being committed to a job allows you to spend more time and energy doing whatever it is you want to do – from getting together with friends and family to pursuing hobbies and travelling.
However, for others, having this much time to fill is not so welcome. This survey from the National Citizens Service (NCS) concluded that the average retiree grows bored after one year, and that one in 10 respondents reported struggling to fill their time after just five months. So, if you’re feeling bored or somewhat aimless, you’re not alone.
Returning to work can help with re-establishing purpose and a routine in your life – as well as combating boredom.
5. Returning to work can be an opportunity to try something new
Going back to work after retiring doesn’t necessarily mean going back to your previous job, or even your previous industry. It can instead be an opportunity to explore exciting new avenues.
Maybe there was a career you always wanted to pursue but, for whatever reason (maybe the pay was too low or the hours weren’t suitable), you didn’t. Well, this might be the right time to give it a go.
Working can provide a feeling of empowerment because it’s often a place where we’re needed, relied upon, and respected. Therefore, without work, it’s common for retirees to experience a loss of purpose and a yearning to contribute to something. As a result, many older adults are using their retirement period to pursue what’s becoming known as an ‘encore career’.
An encore career is the pursuit of a new vocation that contributes to society in a social or public way. Becoming a teacher, nurse, or carer are popular examples of encore careers.
Through helping others, it’s possible to re-establish a feeling of fulfilment you might find is lacking. Plus, learning a new vocation can be an effective way to stimulate the brain and keep it healthy.
If the idea of an encore career sounds appealing, you might find some further inspiration in our interview with 68-year-old Dee Flower who, after eight months of retirement, started an entirely new role in charity work.
6. Returning to work could mean starting your own business
Maybe, like many people, you’ve always dreamed of starting a business or being your own boss. If so, going back to work after retirement could present you with the perfect opportunity.
Starting a business or becoming self-employed is an increasingly popular choice for retirees looking to get back into the workforce. Age UK tells us that the number of self-employed people over 65 has more than doubled in recent years.
Becoming a business owner can help you discover exactly what you want from a career – you can revisit old passions and work on your own terms. Plus, your professional and life experiences can give you an edge.
For more information on starting a business later in life, why not read David Prest’s story? David started a successful vintage-themed catering company in his 50s.
Looking to transfer your skills to a new role after a career break and not sure where to start?
We can all feel a little rusty in job applications. ReStart empowers individuals of all backgrounds to polish their skills and confidence so they can successfully re-gain employment or launch a new career direction. Through a blend of virtual and in-person workshops, individual coaching from accredited coaches and 1:1 mentoring, you can tackle applications with a refreshed approach.
Why should I be cautious about returning to work?
While there are many benefits of returning to work after retirement, there are also a few reasons why you should think carefully about the decision…
1. Consider the impact of returning to work on your physical health
Earlier in this article, we highlighted some of the physical and mental health benefits associated with returning to work. However, other research has shown that continuing to work past retirement age can sometimes be detrimental to health.
This research review concluded that “older workers are more likely than younger workers to suffer from chronic health problems, such as cardiovascular disorders and musculoskeletal diseases.”
And, while it may seem obvious, the risk that working has on your health increases with age. For example, the review found that workers aged 55-59 are more likely to report having health problems than workers aged 50-54.
Each person’s health needs differ, so, ultimately, only you can decide whether or not returning to work is right for you. If you have any health concerns, you may want to speak to your GP during the decision-making process.
If you’re considering making a return to a role that’s particularly physically strenuous or mentally stressful, it’s best to take your time over the decision and weigh up the pros and cons.
2. Upon returning to work, the environment might have changed
If you’ve been retired for more than a few months and you plan on returning to the same role within the same company or industry, it’s worth bearing in mind that things might have changed since you were last there.
For example, a company might have introduced new staff, systems, or processes – meaning that the people you worked with before or the methods you used might now be different. Many companies now have work from home or hybrid working patterns, so it’s worth thinking about whether this arrangement could work for you.
3. The application process can be tough
Here at Rest Less, we’re committed to increasing job opportunities for those over 50, however the process of searching for a job can still be tough.
Age discrimination in the workplace is unfortunately still prevalent in the UK job market, even though it’s illegal under the Equality Act of 2010. For example, our research shows that unemployed over 50s are two and a half times as likely as younger people to be out of work for at least two years.
While these statistics can be disheartening, it can help to head into your job search with an awareness of age discrimination, so you can recognise (and know how to deal with) any unfair treatment.
It’s also important to remember that each person’s experience will be different and that yours could be entirely positive. There are plenty of employers out there who value life experience and welcome applications from mature candidates.
If you decide to begin searching for a new role, we have plenty of resources and information that can help on the jobs and careers section of our website. Among other things, you’ll find CV writing tips, career change guides, and be able to search for suitable job roles.
4. Returning to work might mean you're pushed into a higher tax bracket
Another thing to be aware of when considering returning to work after retirement – especially if your reasoning is primarily financial – is your income tax.
If you’re currently receiving income from your pension, and you plan on continuing to do so when you re-enter the workforce, the extra income from your job could push you into a higher tax bracket.
It’s important to take into account tax brackets when re-joining the workforce so you can make an informed decision as to whether it’s financially viable for you to return to work. You can check out the UK income tax brackets on the GOV.UK website.
What other options are there if I decide not to return to work?
If you’re thinking about returning to work after retiring, it might be worth considering other options that could help to solve any unfavourable aspects of your retirement.
For example, you could…
Try volunteering
If your reasons for wanting to return to the workplace aren’t primarily financial, you could consider volunteering.
Volunteering enables us to foster social connections, establish a sense of purpose, and help others. Consider checking out our volunteering page to get some inspiration and search for volunteering roles.
Create a routine
Working is a good way to establish a routine and structure your day. If you’re struggling with the amount of free time you have on your hands, establishing a routine can be a helpful alternative to going back to work. A daily routine, filled with exercise, activities, and goals can leave you feeling productive and fulfilled.
Consider getting a pet
Caring for a pet is a meaningful way to re-establish many of the benefits of working. Getting a dog, for example, will help establish a new routine revolving around daily walks and feeding, as well as help combat loneliness.
If you’re considering getting a dog, you might want to take a look at our guide to adopting. Or, if you’re on the fence, check out the benefits of owning a pet.
Note: Though owning a pet can add great purpose to your life, it’s important to remember that they come with a huge amount of responsibility. Remember to always do your research first and make sure that it’s the right decision for you – both practically and financially – before making the commitment.
Join a club
If it’s the social connections that are tempting you back to work, you might want to consider joining a club. There are clubs for just about anything – from walking and swimming to poker and wine tasting – where you can meet like-minded people who share similar interests.
For more tips and advice on how to meet new people, you might like to check out our article: 9 different ways to meet new people.
There are also clubs dedicated to socialising – such as lunch clubs and drop-in clubs – if you just fancy some food, drink, and a chat. Why not join one of our community-centred clubs over on Rest Less Events?
Learn new skills
Although going back to work can help to keep your brain healthy, learning new skills and engaging in new activities outside the workplace can have a similar impact. Consider checking out the learning section of our website, which has plenty of resources and inspiration.
Looking to transfer your skills to a new role after a career break and not sure where to start?
We can all feel a little rusty in job applications. ReStart empowers individuals of all backgrounds to polish their skills and confidence so they can successfully re-gain employment or launch a new career direction. Through a blend of virtual and in-person workshops, individual coaching from accredited coaches and 1:1 mentoring, you can tackle applications with a refreshed approach.
Final thoughts…
Going back to work can be appealing if you’re feeling dissatisfied with retirement. Working can offer a sense of purpose and routine, as well as a feeling of connection, which can help to combat loneliness. However, going back to work is a big step and there are many factors to consider.
It can help to ask yourself “Why do I want to go back to work?” and “Why am I dissatisfied with retirement?” Zeroing in on the cause of your dissatisfaction with retirement or what you miss about working will allow you to consider whether you can find satisfaction in a non-work capacity, so you can decide if going back to work is the right choice for you.
We hope that this article has given you some things to consider if you’re thinking about going back to work. Just like retiring in the first place, unretiring is an incredibly personal decision and what’s right for some might not be right for others. Only you can make the final decision.
For further reading, head over to the jobs and careers and healthy mind sections of our website.
Are you thinking about returning to work after retirement? Or have you done so already? If so, do you have any advice? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.