Baby boomers reaching retirement age are returning to the workplace in growing numbers, despite “officially” ending their careers. Some are bored; some feel they have more to contribute. Many continue to work during their golden years to supplement Social Security income or to get benefits like health insurance.
And while seniors are finding full-and part-time jobs a fulfilling way to spend their retirement years, companies also are benefiting from their experience, dependability, and work ethic.
AARP found in a survey conducted in 2003 that folks who were about to retire or who were already retired wanted to remain in the workforce to stay mentally and physically active, feel useful and interact with other people.
AARP also found that 70 percent of workers surveyed who were not yet retired planned to work during their retirement years or never retire. And about 50 percent expected to be working into their 70s.
The AARP survey showed that many retirees returning to work have jobs in teaching, office support, craft work, retail sales, consulting, farming, nursing and health services.
Mike Lynch, president of the Manpower office in Des Moines, Iowa said retirees often come to his temporary placement business for work because it offers them flexibility. Manpower also runs a program in cooperation with Principal Financial Group, Inc., in which it places Principal retirees in jobs at the insurance and financial services company. The program, called Happy Returns, allows those retirees to maintain their pension benefits and still work for Principal.
The retirees either return to their old jobs or move to another part of the company. Retirees can work full or part-time, with many choosing to work about 30 hours a week.
AUTHOR: Joan Yuhas McGowan
MORE INFO: Excerpted from "RETIRED? Now What?"
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