Changing at any age · 6 min read
How do I go back to work after retiring?
Why people go back to work after retiring, the kinds of work that suit retirees, how earnings affect pensions in the UK and US, and how to find a role.
The short answer
Many people return to work after retiring, sometimes called unretiring, for money, purpose, social contact or structure. Good options include part-time or seasonal work, consulting in your former field, flexible roles in retail, tutoring, care and public services, or trying something completely new. Check how earnings affect your pension: in the US, if you claim Social Security before full retirement age, earnings above a yearly limit temporarily reduce benefits; in the UK, you can work and draw your State Pension, and you stop paying National Insurance after State Pension age. Update your CV to focus on recent and relevant experience, lean on your network, and look for employers that welcome older workers.
Key takeaways
- Unretiring is common, for money, purpose or social contact.
- Part-time, consulting and flexible roles are popular options.
- Check how earnings affect your pension before you start.
- Use your network and target employers that welcome older workers.
On this pageWhy people unretire
Why people unretire
- Money: rising costs or a smaller pension than planned.
- Purpose: missing meaningful work.
- Social contact: missing colleagues and routine.
- Health: staying active physically and mentally.
- Curiosity: wanting to try something new.
Options to consider
| Option | Pros | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Consulting in your field | Uses expertise, flexible | Finding clients, staying current |
| Part-time employment | Steady income, routine | Fixed hours |
| Seasonal work | Short commitments | Busy peaks |
| Tutoring or teaching | Purpose, flexible | Preparation time |
| Volunteering into paid work | Low pressure start | May stay unpaid |
| Something new | Fresh interest | Training or lower pay |
Check your pension and tax
In the US, if you're under full retirement age and claiming Social Security, earnings above an annual limit lead to some benefits being withheld, which are recalculated later. In the UK, working doesn't stop your State Pension, and you no longer pay National Insurance after State Pension age, though income tax still applies. Check private pension rules too.
Update how you present yourself
- Focus your CV on the last 10 to 15 years and relevant skills.
- Show recent learning, such as a course or new tools.
- Say what you want: hours, type of work, flexibility.
- Update your LinkedIn profile.
- Tell former colleagues you're open to work.
Where to look
Former employers and colleagues are often the fastest route. Look for employers with age-friendly policies, flexible roles and returner programmes. Local charities, schools, councils and retailers often hire for part-time and seasonal roles.
Illustrative example
Frank retires at 63 from a career in logistics. After a year he misses the problem solving. A former colleague asks him to help a small company improve its warehouse, two days a week. He enjoys it, adds a second client, and works about half the year.
Questions to ask yourself
- Do I need the money, the purpose, or both?
- How many days a week feel right?
- Do I want my old kind of work, or something new?
- What would I need from an employer to say yes?
Your answers shape where to look. People who mainly want purpose often start with volunteering or consulting. People who need regular income usually look for part-time employed roles with predictable hours.
What happens to the gaps
Most posts ask for something your CV doesn't show yet. OffLadder CV names those gaps, and Laddie, our AI coach, turns each one into three steps:
- Learn the skill: a short lesson on what the post asks for, starting from the basics.
- Try the work: a 15-minute task taken from the job itself, so you have a real example to talk about.
- Practise the interview: a five-question mock interview for that role, weighted to the parts you're least sure of.
The conversation stays in your OffLadder account. Once you've done the work, add it to your CV in your own words, and the next post you tailor for can point to it.
Questions people ask
- Will working affect my State Pension in the UK?
- No. You can work and draw your State Pension, and you stop paying National Insurance once you reach State Pension age. Earnings may be taxable.
- What jobs are good for retirees?
- Consulting, tutoring, part-time retail, tour guiding, care work, school support, bookkeeping, customer service, and roles in libraries, museums and charities.
- Is age discrimination a problem?
- It can be, and it's illegal in the UK and, for people 40 and over, in the US. Focusing on recent, relevant experience and using contacts helps.
- How do I explain going back to work?
- Simply and positively: you enjoyed retirement, and now want to use your experience and stay active. Employers often value reliability and experience.
- Can I go back to my old employer?
- Often, yes, especially on a part-time or consulting basis. Many employers welcome former staff who know the work.
- Will working affect my private pension?
- Usually not if you're already drawing it, but check the rules, especially if you're still contributing or have taken a flexible drawdown.
- Are there programmes for older workers?
- Yes. In the US, the Senior Community Service Employment Program helps some lower-income people over 55. In the UK, Jobcentre Plus and some charities run support for older jobseekers.
- Should I list my retirement on my CV?
- You can add a short line such as 'Career break, 2024 to 2025'. You don't need to explain in detail.
Exercises are practice, not evidence of career fit or a qualification. How to read our guides and report a correction.
Sources
- Receiving benefits while working · Social Security Administration
- Working past State Pension age · GOV.UK
- Age discrimination · US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
How this page is written
Sources support the factual background, not a guarantee that an exercise predicts career fit. Fictional practice material is labelled. Dates record content updates; no independent expert review is implied. More about OffLadder.