As inflation rises, many seniors are opting to return to work rather than enjoy retirement. ContributedArticle contentBill VanGorder is very busy these days, but that’s not unusual.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentMany of his days are filled with consecutive long business meetings, writing articles and doing advocacy for the Nova Scotia chapter of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP).Article contentArticle contentVanGorder is a member of the national board of CARP and speaks on their behalf regarding advocacy issues. On the side, he also has a consulting business.Article contentArticle contentWhat is unusual about VanGorder is that the 82-year-old has retired five times over his working life.Article contentVanGorder doesn’t fit well into the stereotype of a snoozy, fragile, retired senior citizen who has reached the end of their productivity and would have nothing to offer an employer.Article contentIn a 2023 article written for CARP, VanGorder noted that, according to Statistics Canada, the average age of retirees was 64.5 years in 2020. That was the highest it had been since 1986. In 2024, that figure rose to 65.3.Article content“Even so, many retirees end up returning to work,” VanGorder explains.Article content“In fact, of those retiring in their early 60s, 47 per cent of men and 41 per cent of women became re-employed in the next 10 years, according to a Statistics Canada report in 2014.”Article content Bill VanGorder does advocacy for the Nova Scotia chapter of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP). VanGorder is a member of the National Board of CARP and speaks on their behalf regarding advocacy issues. He also has a consultant business. ContributedArticle contentWhy are seniors delaying retirement, going back to work?Article contentDuring an October 2024 survey of CARP members, aged 55 to 80, nearly 4,000 of the respondents from across the country revealed their concerns about “outliving their savings” due to inflation and longer life expectancy resulting from medical advances.Article contentArticle contentFor many, according to CARP, the cost of living exceeds their income.Article contentArticle contentSurvey respondents stated that many of them have concerns about health issues exacerbating this situation, with unforeseen expenses that are not necessarily covered by insurance.Article contentThe realities of affording housing and care in this context, and in the context of a beleaguered health-care system, create additional anxiety.Article contentAccording to VanGorder, “People used to live roughly 10 years after retiring at age 65, so they had less to plan for than today’s seniors, who can expect to live into their 80s or 90s.”Article contentCombating ageismArticle contentThe survey also showed that many older people still want to use the skills and expertise they acquired during their years in the workplace and continue to engage socially with former colleagues and the community.Article contentThese concerns may motivate many retirees to re-enter the workforce after they’ve retired, despite barriers such as ageism and a stigma associated with hiring older employees.
Why many retired seniors are making a return to the workforce
