In January, ResumeTemplates surveyed 1,000 Americans aged 65 and older to understand their retirement plans and the factors influencing their decisions.
Study highlights:
- 1 in 4 Americans over 65 are still working, while 3% are actively seeking employment
- 22% of working seniors have “unretired,” and another 6% may return to work in 2025
- Rising costs, boredom, and genuine enjoyment of work are keeping seniors in the workforce or driving them to return
1 in 4 Seniors Are Still Working
According to our survey, 75% of seniors are neither working nor looking for work, while 3% are actively job searching, 11% work part-time, and another 11% work full-time.
Seniors aged 65 to 70 are more likely to still be in the workforce, with only 66% not working or job searching. About 18% are employed full-time, 13% part-time, and 3% are seeking work.
“One thing seniors returning to or still in the workforce need to be aware of is age discrimination,” says ResumeTemplates’ Chief Career Strategist Julia Toothacre. “If you’re currently employed, you might find yourself in situations where someone is trying to push you out. If you’re returning to the workforce, you’ll find it difficult in some functions and industries because hiring managers believe you’ll cost more and might be less efficient. These judgments won’t apply to everyone, but people need to be aware of them.”
“When searching for a job later in your career, there are a few tactics you can use to at least get past the screening process. First, don’t put dates for your degrees as they will signal your age, even if they were obtained later in life. Second, don’t put your entire work history on your resume. Stick to the past 10 to 15 years of relevant experience. Third, look for jobs that celebrate experience and advanced age (e.g., nonprofits, consulting, coaching, and board participation). Or, it’s also good to look for anything directly related to what you did previously or where you have connections.”
22% of Working Seniors Have Unretired
Among seniors who are currently employed or job hunting, 22% had previously retired before rejoining the workforce, while 78% have never retired.
Rising living costs, debt, and boredom are the most common reasons for leaving retirement. Some seniors also cite concerns over Trump’s election and potential impacts on Social Security and Medicare as motivation to return to work. Most don’t plan to retire again for at least three years.
For those who have never retired, the top reasons include enjoying working (61%), fear of boredom if they retire (42%), and cost of living concerns (39%). The majority don’t envision themselves retiring within the next four years.
“Retirement is going to look different for everyone. Those who own a business might struggle to retire or hand the business off because they enjoy it. Someone who doesn’t care about their job might be counting the days. Regardless of your situation, make sure you have planned financially. If retirement isn’t an option, try to stay in or find a position you’ll enjoy in your later years,” Toothacre says.
6% of Retired Seniors May Return To Work in 2025
Among retired seniors surveyed, 6% say they are likely to return to work in 2025. The majority (84%) plan to work part-time, while 11% are unsure and 4% expect to return full-time.
The primary reason seniors are considering a return to work is the rising cost of living, with 51% saying expenses have increased more than anticipated. Another 36% say they would return to combat boredom, while 29% need additional income to cover debt. Additionally, 24% say they did not save enough for retirement, and 20% are concerned about how policies under Trump will impact their finances.
“One advantage that older professionals have is their willingness to go into the office. While many younger workers are pushing back on the return-to-office mandates, older workers enjoy the office environment and building in-person relationships,” says Toothacre.
Methodology: This survey was launched and completed in January 2025 via Pollfish. In total, 1,000 U.S. residents 65 and older were surveyed.
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