Scroll through any retirement Facebook group and you’ll see the same question come up again and again: One group I’m a member of had over 400 responses to the question:
“Is anyone working part-time after retirement just to help ends meet?”
The responses are fast, honest, and revealing. Three themes emerged.
Some people say:
- “I have to.”
- “Pension isn’t enough.”
- “If I didn’t work, I wouldn’t eat.”
Others say:
- “I love it.”
- “It keeps me sane.”
- “It pays for travel and fun.”
And a third group says “Nope. I’m done.”
At first glance, it looks like a simple question about money. It’s not. It’s a window into how retirement is actually being lived—and where it’s breaking down.
What’s Really Going On
There are five patterns in the data I analyzed:
- Retirement is no longer a clean exit
- There are three very different retirement realities
- Healthcare is the hidden driver
- Flexibility matters more than income
- Identity doesn’t retire easily
Retirement is no longer a clean exit
For many people, retirement isn’t a stop. It’s a shift.
- 2–3 days a week
- Seasonal work
- Consulting or “as needed” roles
- Gig work or small businesses
This isn’t accidental. It’s the new normal.
There are three very different retirement realities
Survival Mode
Working because you have to.
- Social Security isn’t enough
- Savings were depleted
- Healthcare costs are crushing
- Inflation is relentless
The tone here is heavy: “I’ll work as long as I’m able.”
Supplement Mode
Working to support lifestyle.
- Travel
- Dining out
- Extra cushion
- Covering rising costs
This group has more choice. Work is helpful, not essential.
Purpose Mode
Working because it adds to life.
- Structure
- Social connection
- Mental stimulation
- A reason to get out of the house
Comments like “it keeps me among humans” and “it keeps me sane” show something deeper:
Retirement is not just a financial transition. It’s a human one.
Healthcare is the hidden driver
This one jumps off the page. People are working:
- To bridge the gap to Medicare
- To keep employer-sponsored insurance
- To afford medications
For many, it’s not optional. It’s strategic survival.
Flexibility matters more than income
The most appealing jobs aren’t the highest paying.
They are:
- 10–20 hours a week
- “Call me if you need me” roles
- Seasonal or school-based schedules
- Work you can say yes or no to
This is a huge insight:
People don’t want more work. They want more control.
Identity doesn’t retire easily
A surprising number of people go back to what they already know:
- Teachers substitute
- Nurses go PRN (as needed)
- Tradespeople take small jobs
- Former employees consult
Why?
Because competence feels good. And identity doesn’t just switch off at 65.
The Emotional Undercurrent
Beneath the practical responses is something more raw:
- Anxiety about money running out
- Frustration with rising costs
- Regret about past decisions
- Fear of aging out of the ability to work
- Exhaustion after a lifetime of effort
And right alongside that:
- Joy in small, meaningful work
- Pride in staying active
- Gratitude for flexibility
- Fulfillment in connection and contribution
Retirement, it turns out, is emotionally complex.
A Retirement by Design Interpretation
Retirement by design refers to a conscious process for designing your third act, versus simply settling. This is exactly why I use the phrase:
Retirement is not a finish line. It’s a redesign.
What these responses show is not failure.
They show what happens when retirement is approached by default instead of by design.
Design Principle #1: Work doesn’t have to end—it has to evolve
The question is not: “Will I work in retirement?”
The better question is: “What role does work play in the life I want now?”
- Income?
- Structure?
- Purpose?
- Social connection?
When you answer that intentionally, work becomes a tool—not a burden.
Design Principle #2: Financial design and life design must be integrated
Too many people treat retirement as a math problem.
It’s not. It’s math plus:
- energy
- health
- relationships
- meaning
- lifestyle
Working part-time isn’t the issue. Unplanned dependence on it is.
Design Principle #3: Build flexibility before you need it
The people who seem most at peace are those who have options:
- consulting
- part-time roles
- multiple income streams
- skills they can still use
They’re not asking, “Can I find a job?”
They’re deciding, “Do I want to do this?”
That’s a very different place to stand.
Design Principle #4: Don’t underestimate the human side of retirement
One of the strongest signals in these responses:
People don’t just miss income.
They miss:
- rhythm
- relevance
- interaction
- feeling useful
If you don’t design for that, you’ll end up solving it accidentally—with a job.
The Bottom Line
Working in retirement is not the problem. Working without intention is:
- Some people are working because they have to.
- Some because they want to.
- Some because they don’t yet know how else to live this next chapter.
That’s the opportunity. Because when you step back and design it, you can create a version of retirement where:
- work is optional
- income is intentional
- time is protected
- and your days actually feel the way you want them to feel
That’s Retirement by Design.
# # #
Dr. Kevin Nourse is a certified retirement coach helping people flourish in retirement. He founded Nourse Leadership Strategies, a coaching firm based in Southern California. Contact him at 760.237.0045 or kevin@nourseleadership.com
(C) Kevin Nourse, 2026
You’re welcome to reprint or share this article, provided proper credit is given and a link to the original post is included.
Want the bigger picture?
This blog is part of a broader body of work on leadership transitions, executive development, and Retirement by Design.