Ready to retire? You sure about that?
In a recent T. Rowe Price study, 20% of retired Americans report they have “unretired” to work full- or part-time jobs. There are any number of reasons why retired workers want to go back to work: inflation, boredom, concerns about outliving savings, the need for camaraderie to name a few. In some cases, retirees are looking to take advantage of employer-sponsored healthcare benefits.
Perhaps spurred on by pandemic-related economic uncertainties, many Americans are working slightly longer than in previous years. According to Gallup research, average retirement age for non-retirees is 66 years, up 6 years since 1995. By March 2022, Gallup reported 1.5 million retirees reentering the labor market[1].
While there are plenty of reasons for workers to want to stay engaged, there is also a benefit that many may not have realized; people who work beyond retirement age seem to live longer. According to a 2016 Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health study, people who worked even one more year beyond retirement age may reduce their risk of dying anywhere from 9 to 11 percent. Moreover, a CDC study from 2015 suggests that people who worked past age 65 were three times more likely to report being in good health and half as likely to have serious health issues than their retired counterparts[2].
If that weren’t enough to convince you, a French study of approximately half a million self-employed workers shows that those who delayed retirement could be reducing the risk of developing dementia[3]. Remote work, it seems, is good for your brain.
It’s also on the wish list of 53 percent of retirees who are considering returning to work, according to a Paychex study[4].
That means getting used to working where you live. Working remotely means setting up healthy, balanced routines that help keep you from letting work bleed into your personal time. We suggest the following:
Log in and out every day. Log in to work, log out of work. It’s that simple. When your workday is over, resist the urge to check email one more time.
Establish your work hours. No matter what hours you work or how many, try to stick closely to them. It helps separate work and personal time.
Engage your coworkers. Even without an office, you have coworkers. Make sure to reach out to them – and to your manager – every day. Keep chat windows open and join any video meetings or celebrations.
Schedule break times. Even if you’re working just a few hours a day, make sure to step away from the computer and stretch, go for a short walk, and recharge in some way.
No email after hours. Don’t check email, don’t answer texts, let those calls go to voicemail. Post-work hours should be relaxing and set aside as time to recharge before your next workday.
Revisit your workday often. You took on a certain amount of work, but is it enough? Too much? Re-evaluate your workload. When you’re feeling stressed or bored, talk with your manager.
Your second career is yours to define. By taking on a remote position in a more supportive role, you might find a wonderful balance of enjoyable work and purpose. What a healthy way to live, right?
[1] Older Workers Re-enter the Workforce | Freking Myers & Reul
[2] Why Retirees Are Choosing To Go Back To Work
[3] Older age at retirement is associated with decreased risk of dementia – PubMed
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