For years, we have all braced for a wave of baby boomer retirements. Instead, it turns out, many older workers are staying put.

According to a recent Korn Ferry survey, 6 in 10 boomer leaders say they have no plans to retire—or even leave their current roles—anytime soon. That’s a dramatic shift from just one year ago, when only 1 in 10 said the same. Economic uncertainty, rising living costs, and concerns about financial security are among the key reasons many workers are delaying retirement.

But staying employed doesn’t necessarily mean they want to continue working full time.

Many experienced professionals would welcome the opportunity to reduce their hours, eliminate lengthy commutes, and gain greater flexibility while continuing to earn income and contribute their expertise. The challenge is that traditional employment models often don’t offer a middle ground between full-time work and full retirement.

That’s where companies like WAHVE come in. Remote, flexible staffing models allow retiring and semi-retired professionals to continue doing meaningful work on schedules that better align with their lifestyles. Rather than exiting the workforce entirely, seasoned insurance professionals can transition into part-time and project-based roles that provide both financial support and work-life balance.

For employers, the benefits are equally compelling. Our industry continues to face talent shortages and knowledge gaps as experienced workers leave the industry. By engaging WAHVE talent, employers gain access to professionals with decades of industry expertise while maintaining workforce flexibility and controlling costs. Further, experienced professionals play a vital role in mentoring younger employees, transferring institutional knowledge, sharing industry best practices, and helping develop the next generation of insurance leaders.

The Korn Ferry findings underscore an important workforce trend: Retirement is becoming less of a hard stop and more of a gradual transition. Many boomers aren’t ready—or able—to retire completely, but they’re looking for new ways to work.

WAHVE helps make that transition possible, creating a win-win solution that allows experienced professionals to remain active in the workforce while helping insurance organizations preserve valuable institutional knowledge.

What are some ways your organization has accommodated more senior professionals?