You’ve finally hit that milestone – retirement age. You’ve been planning for it, saving for it, and looking forward to losing the commute, the stress, and the workload. Time to relax.

Wow, that’s a lot of relaxing. After about a month, you’re bored. Who knew you’d miss working?

Actually, we did. Any number of surveys of new retirees has shown some surprising results – that a sizable majority of retirees are going back to work. One study by Investopedia reveals that 44% of retirees who were asked say they’ve chosen to return to the workforce. A Federal Reserve Board study finds that a full one-third of their study respondents are doing the same thing.

The reason? Surprisingly, it isn’t about money. Plenty of these retirees are seeking intellectual stimulation.

We at WAHVE work directly with retired professionals who have chosen to work again. The reasons we’ve heard include:

• Missing the work they love
• Supplementing retirement income
• Needing to engage intellectually
• Wanting to financially support parents or adult children
• Needing additional income
• Wanting to work, but not commute

If any of these reasons, or any other reason, sound like you, you may be perfect for a work-from-home position.

That begs the question: How can you make work-from-home work for you?

Here are our suggestions:

Decide your role. Why return to work that caused you so much stress? There are plenty of support roles that you would qualify for. Imagine lending your decades of expertise to a small insurance agency or handling back-office paperwork for a claims department. These roles are just as critical to the success of the organization and you can handle them easily, lightening the workload for producers or claims adjusters.

Define your schedule. Full time or part time? Flexible or 9-to-5? Only you know when you are at your most productive. Decide what works for you.

Carve out your space. Whether you’re working from an RV or from a study, having a dedicated work area is important to help you feel more comfortable and productive. Even if it’s the kitchen table with a laptop will work if it’s your space for your work hours.

Build a routine. I know a remote worker who leaves the house every day to get coffee, then “commutes” back home, mentally switching into office mode. Stick as closely as possible to your work hours. Creating work habits can help you focus on work even in a home setting.

Check in daily with your employer. It is far too easy to be out of sight, out of mind when working remotely. Engage your manager every day to update them on your projects, progress, issues, and deliverables. It’s a great way to stay on track and improve your work outcomes.

Amp up communication. In fact, you should be talking with coworkers as often, if not more, as you do your employer. Keep multiple channels of communication open and set up email, instant message, and text alerts so that you can collaborate more easily. If you use video conferencing, keep your camera on. It helps connect you and your colleagues to be able to see each other.

Make a to-do list. Before you finish your workday, jot down what you’ll be doing the next day. Especially when you’re working on large projects or multiple projects, keeping a list can keep you on track. Share your list with your employer and any team members who are collaborating with you. This builds in accountability and also helps keep you focused on deadlines.

Returning to work after retirement doesn’t always mean going back to the commute, the office, and the stress. It can be a rewarding second career that you define.