The rise of unretiring
What is ‘unretiring’ I hear you ask? A new buzzword that is increasingly being searched for by people in later life. Unretiring is leaving retirement to step back into work.
The reasons for unretiring are varied. Some are returning to work due to the financial pinch of the cost-of-living crisis and others are missing the social aspect that the workplace has to offer.
In society, we’re living longer, and arguably healthier lives which has opened the opportunity to think differently about retirement and how we continue to make use of our wisdom and experiences as we get older.
As I sit contemplating my own retirement, it’s not just about making use of my knowledge and experience that comes to mind; it’s also about how I will fill my time and if I will have sufficient income to continue to live the lifestyle that I enjoy. When the time comes, I hope that I will have good health and be able to make choices that fit my values and aspirations.
Of course, my career continues to provide me with great personal satisfaction but the old saying that we ‘work to live, not live to work’ keeps coming to mind. Work is not just about paid employment, it’s about a sense of belonging, self-esteem, and good mental health. Whatever my financial position is when I retire, one thing that I am certain of is that after ‘working to live’ for over 40 years I intend to take more time to pursue my interests and enjoyment. This could be by seeking part-time paid work, or by volunteering for good causes. But I’m determined that, if possible, leisure pursuits and spending more time with my family and friends will be at the top of my list.
Recent Office for National Statistics (ONS) data revealed that the older population are reporting feeling lonelier than ever. Of the people surveyed aged 50 to 65 years who left or lost their job since the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 46% said they would return to work for social reasons, while 42% were keen to return to employment to improve their mental health.
If unretirement it is something that you’re considering, we understand it’s a big decision. There’s some advice and support available on the gov.uk website that you might find helpful.
However, if you’re reasons for returning to work are to be more social, make friends and boost your emotional wellbeing, there may be an alternative way to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation – introducing MHA Communities.
Our community groups meet across Britain offering clubs and activities for people aged 55 and over. Or you might be interested in volunteering – from telephone befriending to volunteer shoppers, MHA are always on the lookout for people who have free time to make a difference to the lives of older people in their local communities. We also have a number of tips to combat loneliness that you might find helpful.
