Seniors Return to Work

Seniors Return to Work

Baby Boomers are not planning to retire but plan to stay in the workforce even after they leave their first job. Many employees feel that retirement is “a time to begin a new chapter in life by being active and involved, starting new activities, and setting new goals.” (Freedman, M. 2008, i) Retirement is a career change. They are leaving something that has been their primary involvement, and moving on to something else.” (Schlossberg. N.K, 2004,) Baby boomers are creating a “new stage of work” that gives them meaning and a purpose in life. The boomers’ biggest impact will be on eliminating the term ”retirement” and inventing a new stage of life, one with significant community leadership at the core.( Kanter, R.M., 2005, 10)

They welcome the challenge to stay on top and still be productive in the process {Freedman, Marc, 12). Baby Boomers are planning their future and have to decide whether to work full or part time. They’re choosing where they want to work, in what capacity, and how many hours, with out the hassle of past career expectations.

Many of these working “retired” adults are in bridge-type jobs, which act as transitions between long-term career positions and total retirement (Feldman.1994: Mutchler, J.E., Burr, Pienta, & Massagli, 1997, 159). A bridge type jobs gives them the ability to feel good about themselves, work at their own pace, have a more balanced life, get an education in a field they want, and gain a sense of competence (Ulrich, L., 2005, 165). They choose bridge jobs so they can keep their organizational identities by staying in their own field and by using the skills they acquired from their long- term career (Weckerle & Shultz, 1999, 317-329). They feel work is filling in time, giving them a say, makes them feel wanted and needed, meeting their financial needs, and keeping them healthy, and active.

Met Life did a survey interviewing 1,000 pre-boomers and leading–edge boomers. They were asked what their plans were for the future, what they wanted to accomplish, and why they wanted to return to work. Findings show that more than fifty eight percent said they want to stay employed or work in 7 main areas. The main areas of choice were working in education, health care, retail, social services, communities programs, and saving the environment. Some retirees look forward to getting up and going to work in leisure type jobs, like Wal-Mart, Home Depot or gym settings. They want to enjoy their part-time jobs, as well as having the flexibility to spend time with their family. Fifty percent of baby boomers age 50 to 70 want careers so they could stay involved with the public and provide an opportunity to “help improve the quality of the community.” According to Princeton Survey Research Associates International, baby-boomers, who want to work in the community, are looking for specific ways of helping. They want to work with the elderly and poor. Some want to work with health issues in hospitals or in organizations that do research to find cures for diseases. Baby boomers feel that they should get a tax credit or a grant when they work in the community. They feel they

should be compensated by the government for work done in the community. They have different motivations and they demand different outcomes than previous generations did. They will be looking to make their own mark in the process (Egger, Robert, 2005, 18).

Baby-boomers are retiring early so they can further their education and start a new career. Retiring early will give them time to get established in a second career. Some people who retire will still be able to work for another 20 years. Some of the benefits they receive are medical coverage and good pension plans. They sometimes change careers to make money for retirement or to help support their families. Others are returning to school to follow their dreams for self satisfaction or because they eventually plan on being self employed or start their own business. Retirees that are self employed or start their own business can work at their own pace, get higher earning than if they were working for wages, and have the freedom to create their own schedule ( Pitt-Catsouphes,Marcie, PhD.& Smyer,Michael, A. Ph.D., 2005, 13)

Baby boomers want training programs so they can work with school systems and social service organizations. Some organizations are pleased to help people who want to retire. Corporations realize that hiring an older person is an asset because they know the benefit of working, The turn over is lower and they don’t call in sick often. If they are returning to work it is because they want to be there and not because they are forced to stay on the job. Most employers are learning how to deal with retirees. Retirees want to work because