Will You Be Working In Retirement?
BOSTON (CBS) - Working is part of many pre-retirees retirement plan. 80 percent of Boomers say they plan to work in retirement, many because they will have to.
But not that many folks over 65 are actually working. Today about 4% are still in the workforce. And if you have been working in a physically taxing job or are in poor health you may not be able to continue working as you age.
According to an ING survey, four in 10 Americans believe the economic climate will force them to retire up to 10 years later than originally expected or not at all.
Workers will remain at their jobs longer than ever before just to keep up with their bills and ensure food is on the table. The survey results also noted that workers are concerned about saving enough money for retirement.
The jobs most likely needing the graying population will be in sectors such as healthcare, education and social services.
Consider a bridge job which is something that will take you from your working career into full retirement. A transition job. Could be very different from what you have been doing during your working career. Many of the unemployed are very familiar with bridge jobs.
Some retirees find work at Walmart and McDonald's. If you have been to Disney World recently you noticed that the Disney employee's average age is no longer 20 but more like 60! They have found that retirees make good employees and are reliable.
Home Depot has partnered with AARP to hire older workers. Home Depot is getting experienced workers that are knowledgeable about home building and home maintenance.
Phased retirement is where you slowly ease your way into retirement. Is cutting back at your present job feasible? Can you work part-time for your present employer? Working 2-3 days a week instead of 5. Often times the employer will still offer health care to a part-time employee.
Special thanks to Jacquelyn B. James, Ph.D., the Director of Research at Sloan Center on Aging & Work at Boston College. She was able to provide me with some key numbers in my research.