A Growing Trend

Working after retirement is a growing trend amongst retirees.  However, in a market driven society where so much of one’s personal sense of self is related to professional accomplishments, it is often difficult for a retired person to settle into the typical expectations of a relaxed retired life.  Expectations and aspirations of retirees are evolving, and work opportunities are changing to meet this new population demand.  There are clearly many economic advantages to prolonging your participation in the work force; however, there are many retired persons who not only seek new work opportunities for the financial gains, but also for other reasons that relate to their quality of life.  Here are some things to consider if you are thinking about retiree employment. 

Do You Have The Skills?

Go back to your resume and consult a resume developer to see what has changed in the work industry you are potentially looking to enter.  With the wealth of experience a retiree has, it is likely that you have developed key skills that you may not have noted on your resume.  It is important to go back over your years of work experience and update your portfolio.  There are sites that will give you a profile of qualifications needed for particular fields of work.  For example, if you visit the Department of Labor website, www.dol.gov, you can find the Occupational Outlook Handbook online.  The handbook is updated annually and gives a sound overview of job data by position and industry.  What credentials will you need?  What will your earnings look like?  Will you need to be certified or take college courses?  Many times, a retiree looking to reenter the work force will have to update their computer skills, so taking a course in computers will certainly not hurt your chances of reentering the work force.

Generating Work Opportunities

Even though you may be retired, we are in an age of networking and creating employment opportunities in a competitive environment, rather than simply applying for a position and hoping for the best.  Many times, who you know, and who you meet, will likely be that added bonus that will assist you in finding a position that is right for you during retiree employment.  Joining a foundation or an online network such as the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) can give you a head start on building a network.  By visiting the site, aarp.org, you can find helpful information on employment, developing skills, job search strategies, and resume building plans that will help you during this phase of retiree employment.  The AARP site can also give you very useful tips on searching for positions that maximize your 401K plan and health care benefits.

Think about what types of work you would want to do.  There are a range of opportunities from part time work, volunteer jobs, and work that requires particular vocational skills such as carpentry, welding, and truck driving, to work at home telecommuting positions, or voluntary posts.  There may also be opportunities available that will take advantage of your years of experience.  For example, some posts can use your experience by asking you to sit on a board of directors or an advisory committee.

Telecommuting Positions

Jobs that allow you to work from home during retirement could be the best solution for some people.  Telecommuniting positions can allow you to work from the comfort of your own home.  At times, such positions may require you to visit the office, or a base of operations, periodically and on a limited basis.  These types of positions allow you to remain in a familiar environment while trying something new and challenging.  However, if one of your primary reasons for wanting to engage in retiree employment is to develop a social network and change your daily social setting, then you may want to seek positions that take you out of your home environment.

Becoming Social And Developing Relationships

At times, the social advantages of reentering the work force as a retiree employee can outweigh any of the other reasons for continuing to work.  A retiree may have reached a point in their life where their social network is limited.  Reentering the work force gives such persons a second chance to generate bonds and relationships that can increase their overall state of happiness during retirement.  The fact that you can maintain a continued feeling of being part of something outside of you, and enjoy the gratifying emotions of participating in a community during retiree employment, is something that a retiree must strongly consider.  If social networks are important to you, this could work to your benefit.  At times, retirees may not have much family around, and the social setting in the work place allows them to cultivate much-needed social bonds and familial ties.

Living Your Dreams

Growing up, some of us might have been advised to find something that we love to do and then do it.  For some of us, this was easier said than done.  With so many options and career choices, some people may feel that they never had the opportunity to find their true vocation or personal calling.  Even if you don’t feel as though you can find your professional calling during retiree employment, it is an opportunity for you to try new things out, and engage in endeavors that challenge you.  You can also develop new skills that you may enjoy.  By approaching this life change with a positive attitude, you may end up living your dream, and if nothing else, nourishing a personal sense of accomplishment.  You will also be giving yourself a chance to appease your need to keep your mind working.  Being in a period of retirement does not necessarily mean that you are not equipped to continue to take care of yourself and meet your personal needs and goals.  Retiree employment is an opportunity to engage in life long learning.
Points Of Caution

There are things that you should be aware of during retiree employment, which are mostly related to your financial status.  Be sure that you consult an attorney and an accountant about your tax obligations and potential reductions in your benefits such as social security and your pension.  Socially, age discrimination can be a challenge in the work place.  Approaching your social setting with a positive attitude will help you prepare for any generational difficulties you may encounter.  Additionally, while there are social advantages in cultivating relationships, there are also drawbacks in the sense that you may end up with less time to spend with family, taking up hobbies, or working on personal projects.  All in all, weigh out your wants, needs, and objectives.  You are the best judge of whether or not retiree employment is the right choice for you.