From Pulpit to Possibility: Unretiring with Purpose

After 40 years of dedicated service as a Lead Pastor, James finally retired. He had always dreamed of spending his golden years reading books and enjoying quiet moments with his family. For the first few months, he relished the freedom retirement brought. He visited his children, took long walks in the park, and even started a small vegetable garden.

Even though James enjoyed the opportunity to worship at other churches, he soon, began to feel a sense of restlessness. He missed the interactions with his congregation and the sense of purpose that came with his profession. Reflecting on his unique skillset. James realized that as a pastor he had been a mentor, a leader, a communicator, and a compassionate listener. He remembered the fulfillment of guiding someone through a challenging time.

James considered returning to a church as a part-time pastor or interim pastor, but what really excited him was the thought of doing something different within the church. He thought about coaching for the church’s youth basketball team or becoming a mentor for young pastors. The idea of working with the youth brought a spark to his eyes, reminding him of the energy and enthusiasm he once had.

Unretiring is a growing trend, with one in eight retired seniors going back to work.¹The reasons people return to the workforce vary, but the top reason is the rising cost of living. Other financial reasons include inflation, market volatility, and overall uneasiness in what the future may hold. In addition to the economic environment, Baby Boomers and Gen Xers find themselves unprepared for retirement, with average savings falling significantly short of the recommended amount for a comfortable retirement. The average Gen X household has saved around $150,000, which is a fraction of the estimated $1.5 million needed according to Forbes.² This has caused some who have retired to go back to work and others to semi-retire. It is not simply lack of planning; a major reason these generations are short of retirement funds is due to the 2008 financial crisis, as well as the chronic low interest rates since then.³ To generate extra cash, many retirees are finding less physical and less stressful jobs. Employers are benefitting from older generations’ expertise when they take on consultant and mentor roles.

Another top reason people unretire is the decrease in social connections. Some retirees soon find they miss connecting with people regularly. Returning to the workforce not only provides social interaction, but also structure and an enhanced sense of purpose. Having a job may improve mental health, increase life satisfaction, and stave off loneliness.

Steps to Finding a Job After Retirement

Self-Assessment: First, ask yourself why you want to return to the workforce. Is it for financial needs or personal fulfillment?
Evaluate Skills and Preferences: Next, evaluate your skills and job preferences. Do any of your skills need updating? If so, consider enrolling in a professional development course. Do you want to return to a previous field or try something new? When working on your resume, highlight the skills and experiences relevant to the job you want.
Financial Considerations: Consider your current income and how a job may change your tax bracket. You may want to contact a financial advisor before accepting a new role.
Social Security and Medicare: In general, if you are collecting Social Security and are under full retirement age (67 for those born in 1960 and later) you can’t earn more than $23,400 a year in 2025 without a possible reduction in your Social Security benefits. There is, however, a hidden upside to continuing to work past 67 since working until 70 years of age can potentially increase your long-term Social Security benefits. The amount of Social Security you receive is based on your 35 highest earning years, adjusted for inflation and the age you start collecting benefits. Remember, once you reach 70, remaining in the workforce does not increase your Social Security benefit. Also recognize that additional income may affect Medicare Parts B and D, as premiums are income-based. Participants can drop Part B, which helps to cover medical services such as outpatient care and certain prescription drugs that Part A does not, if their new employment offers health care that qualifies as primary insurance. Then, they can re-enroll later. You may be able to have both private insurance and Medicare but can’t put additional money in a health savings plan.
Balance: Lastly, make sure the job you are planning to seek will offer you good financial, personal, and practical balance. It may be best to transition back to work gradually, starting with a part-time job.

Explore Job Opportunities

Begin your job hunt by reaching out to former colleagues and professional networks. Online job platforms can also be helpful in your search. There are various kinds of jobs that are good for those who want to unretire. A few areas to consider include caregiving, education, consulting, and if you’re digitally savvy, technology. Each of these categories offers a wide range of positions with varying stress levels. For example, positions in education include tour guide, adjunct professor, tutor or substitute teacher. Caregiver positions are needed for children, the elderly and pets. Corporate chaplaincy’s offer flexible hours while providing meaningful social interaction with a company’s employees. Finally, freelance opportunities include writing religious books or articles and public speaking at retreats or conferences.

For James, the prospect of mentoring young pastors or coaching a youth basketball team offers a fulfilling way to leverage his skills and continue contributing to his community. After much contemplation, James decided to unretire and take on the role of a mentor for young pastors. This new chapter brought him immense joy and satisfaction, allowing him to share his wisdom and experience while staying connected to the community he loved. As more retirees explore unretirement, they find opportunities that balance financial needs with personal fulfillment, ultimately enhancing their quality of life.

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