Back to work: Seniors leading the charge in 'the great unretirement'
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From coast to coast, older Aussies are defying conventional wisdom and embracing 'the great unretirement', breathing new life into their dormant careers.
Meet John Scott, the epitome of this trend, who shared his story with Yahoo Finance. After a whopping 50 years in the insurance game, he hung up his hat in 2021. At first, it was all sunshine and relaxation, with no emails to check or phones to answer. Pure bliss, right?
But soon enough, the novelty wore off. John, now a sprightly 68, found himself feeling a bit too young to be lounging around in his whites playing bowls. And just like that, the question hit him: ‘What else is there to do?’
His wife noticed the change too. Sensing his restlessness, she nudged him to consider getting back in the game. So, John did just that, applying for a gig at his local Coles in Mooloolaba. He hadn't applied for a job or been to an interview in his life! Yet, in a whirlwind of events, he got an interview and landed the job.
He has been loving life there ever since. His days of work have him happily overseeing cleaning and the trolleys. According to John, the benefits of being back in action far outweigh sitting at home twiddling his thumbs.
This whole 'great unretirement' gig? It's not just John. It's a whole movement. Over 179,000 Aussies aged 55 and up jumped back into the workforce between 2019 and 2022. Some did it for the social buzz, while for others, it boiled down to securing financial stability.
According to a survey by National Seniors Australia, money was the main motivator for 60 per cent of pensioners and 46 per cent of non-pensioners getting back in the saddle. Chris Grice, the CEO of the seniors’ advocacy group, says it's all about keeping up with the rising costs.
Let's not forget the perks. While John appears to have hit the jackpot, being paid to do what he loves. John didn't do it for the money. For him, it was all about keeping his sanity intact.
John agrees, noting how he enjoys mentoring younger colleagues. ‘We’ve all been rookies once, making mistakes and learning. It's all part of the journey,’ he reflected.
Now, here's the kicker: Australia's facing shortages in crucial sectors like aged care and childcare. Grice reckons the older folks itching to get back in the game could be the answer to our prayers.
So, what's John's advice to his fellow seniors? Embrace the change, folks. Don't be afraid to take the leap. You might just surprise yourself.
Though some may enjoy the peaceful bliss of retirement, it is important to remember that it isn’t for everyone. Many seniors have chosen to take the leap through the great unretirement, and we at the Seniors Discount Club know that you can do the same.
What do you think about the great unretirement? Would you take the plunge? We would love to hear from you!
But soon enough, the novelty wore off. John, now a sprightly 68, found himself feeling a bit too young to be lounging around in his whites playing bowls. And just like that, the question hit him: ‘What else is there to do?’
His wife noticed the change too. Sensing his restlessness, she nudged him to consider getting back in the game. So, John did just that, applying for a gig at his local Coles in Mooloolaba. He hadn't applied for a job or been to an interview in his life! Yet, in a whirlwind of events, he got an interview and landed the job.
John Scott was underwhelmed by retirement, which started a journey that led him to Coles. Image Source: Shutterstock
This whole 'great unretirement' gig? It's not just John. It's a whole movement. Over 179,000 Aussies aged 55 and up jumped back into the workforce between 2019 and 2022. Some did it for the social buzz, while for others, it boiled down to securing financial stability.
Rising costs force pensioners to adapt. Image Source: Kampus Production/Pexels
For John, the best part of his new job is the people, hands down. At Coles, he has found a sense of belonging while rubbing elbows with folks of all ages. It's a far cry from his old insurance gig when he said the stress followed him home. Now, John can clock out and fully enjoy his time with his family without any guilt.
Let's not forget the perks. While John appears to have hit the jackpot, being paid to do what he loves. John didn't do it for the money. For him, it was all about keeping his sanity intact.
John’s story underscores the value of older workers in the job market. According to Grice, their wealth of experience is invaluable. ‘They've been through it all and can guide younger colleagues through the ups and downs,’ he remarked.
John agrees, noting how he enjoys mentoring younger colleagues. ‘We’ve all been rookies once, making mistakes and learning. It's all part of the journey,’ he reflected.
Now, here's the kicker: Australia's facing shortages in crucial sectors like aged care and childcare. Grice reckons the older folks itching to get back in the game could be the answer to our prayers.
So, what's John's advice to his fellow seniors? Embrace the change, folks. Don't be afraid to take the leap. You might just surprise yourself.
What do you think about the great unretirement? Would you take the plunge? We would love to hear from you!
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