This article is part of the Retirement Financial Life Equation (RFLE) series. It is a near-total rewrite of a similar article initially published in 2015.
In a brief conversation with a friend after church, the topic of retirement came up. He and I are about the same age. He made a statement that stuck with me. He said he was thinking about retirement, but had one big concern—he had no idea what he would do afterward.
This is not all that uncommon. It’s probably one of the reasons some people delay retirement. Many people spend time planning the financial side of things, but don’t give much thought to what they will do day in, day out when they’re actually retired.
Now, nine years into my own retirement, I can report from lived experience: having meaningful work and productive activities has been absolutely essential to my retirement satisfaction. The financial aspects worked out roughly as planned, but what surprised me most was how much I’ve needed purposeful activity beyond recreation and leisure. The psychological and spiritual benefits of continuing some form of work have been just as important as any supplemental income it might generate.
Retire from work to go to work, really?
Here’s a suggestion: go to work. I know that sounds counterintuitive, but retirement surveys consistently show that working in some capacity is one of the most satisfying elements of successful retirement. The concept has evolved significantly since I first wrote this article in 2015. What we’re seeing now in 2025 is a fundamental reshaping of retirement expectations, driven both by financial necessity and genuine desire for continued engagement.
Research from the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies shows that 54% of workers now expect to continue working in some capacity after retirement, up from previous decades. More tellingly, many who do retire completely find themselves returning to work—not always for financial reasons, but for the structure, social connections, and sense of purpose it provides.
One reason might be financial need. According to recent data, the median retirement savings for Americans ages 65-74 is approximately $200,000—enough to generate perhaps $8,000-12,000 annually using safe withdrawal rates, which leaves most retirees heavily dependent on Social Security. With average monthly Social Security benefits around $1,907 ($22,884 annually) as of late 2025, many retirees face a significant income gap between their needs and resources. Part-time or seasonal work can bridge that gap without requiring full portfolio drawdowns that threaten long-term sustainability.
But there’s another reason that’s equally important: retiring is often a great opportunity to start a new, totally unrelated career. Many people find encore careers liberating and fulfilling—a chance to pursue passions that weren’t economically feasible during the peak earning years when mortgages, college tuitions, and family responsibilities demanded maximum income.
The gig economy has transformed retirement work opportunities since 2015. Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and specialized consulting networks allow retirees to monetize expertise on their own schedules. Remote work, normalized during the 2020 pandemic, means retirees can work from anywhere without commuting. Seasonal opportunities (tax preparation, retail during holidays, campground hosting) let you work intensely for a few months then travel or rest the remainder of the year.
I’m not sure that such a high percentage of pre-retirees who plan to work actually follow through, but many certainly do, whether out of necessity or desire. In my own case, I’ve continued writing, researching, and maintaining this blog throughout retirement. It generates modest income (nowhere near minimum wage when you calculate hours invested), but the non-monetary rewards—helping readers, staying intellectually engaged, maintaining a sense of purpose—have been invaluable. I’ve also taken on occasional consulting projects related to my IT background, which brings in supplemental income while keeping my skills current.
The stewardship perspective on retirement work
Most people think retirement will be enjoyable and rewarding. But that may not be the case if you don’t plan for it from a stewardship perspective. If you do, you’ll view retirement as an opportunity to rediscover, repackage, and repurpose the gifts God has given you—your time, talents, and treasure—in productive activities in service to others. Do this, and you have a pretty good shot at an enjoyable and fulfilling retirement. If you envision it as endless days of vacation, you may be disappointed.
Work (but not necessarily the work you’ve always done) may be one of the primary ways you find enjoyment and fulfillment in retirement.
There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God. — Ecclesiastes 2:24 (ESV)
As Dan Miller wrote in Wisdom Meets Passion:
When we talk about retirement, we typically mean when we stop working in something we don’t enjoy. Then we fantasize about spending time doing only things we do enjoy. When I get just enough money for my own needs, then I’ll withdraw from anything that combines my passion, talent, and economic productivity. Is that a reasonable way to think about retirement? Do you really want to stop engaging in productive daily activities? Or to withdraw from service? Just take a quick trip to your local retirement center to see what happens to people who withdraw from active, meaningful service.
Some kind of work in retirement may also provide the extra financial cushion needed for retirees having trouble keeping on top of their bills or filling the income gap between what Social Security, pensions, and savings provide and what they need to live on. But the financial benefits extend beyond simple supplemental income—working in retirement can have profound positive effects on your overall financial security in ways that aren’t immediately obvious.
The financial implications of working in retirement
When I first wrote this article in 2015, I touched on the financial aspects of retirement work but didn’t fully explore the comprehensive financial implications. After nine years of living this reality and studying retirement income strategies extensively, I now understand that working in retirement—even part-time or sporadically—can transform your financial security in multiple powerful ways.
Delaying portfolio withdrawals and Social Security
Perhaps the most powerful financial benefit of working in retirement is simply not needing to withdraw from your portfolio during the early retirement years. This is where sequence of returns risk hits hardest. If you can earn $15,000-30,000 annually from part-time work during your first 3-5 years of retirement, you can delay Social Security to age 70 (increasing lifetime benefits by 24-32% over claiming at Full Retirement Age) while leaving your portfolio completely untouched to recover from any market downturns and continue growing.
Consider this example: A couple retires at age 65 with $500,000 in savings. Their combined Social Security at age 70 will be $48,000 annually, but at age 65 it would only be $36,000. If they can earn just $20,000 annually through part-time work for five years (ages 65-70), they can delay Social Security and avoid touching their portfolio during this critical period.
Scenario A (No work, claim SS at 65):
- Social Security: $36,000/year
- Portfolio withdrawals needed: $24,000/year to maintain $60,000 lifestyle
- Portfolio after 5 years (assuming 5% growth, 3% inflation): ~$410,000
Scenario B (Work part-time, delay SS to 70):
- Part-time income: $20,000/year
- Social Security at 70: $48,000/year (permanently)
- Portfolio withdrawals during ages 65-70: $0
- Portfolio after 5 years (untouched, 5% growth): ~$638,000
In Scenario B, you’ve gained $228,000 in portfolio value and $12,000 in permanent annual Social Security income—a massive improvement in lifetime financial security. And this assumes relatively modest market returns. If you retire into a bull market and your portfolio grows 8-10% annually during those five years, the advantage becomes even more dramatic.
I’ve seen this play out with fellow retirees. Those who managed to work even sporadically during their first few retirement years—whether through consulting, seasonal work, or part-time employment—generally have far stronger financial positions now than those who immediately began full portfolio withdrawals at age 65.
Reducing portfolio withdrawal rates
Even if you’re already claiming Social Security, supplemental income from work dramatically reduces the percentage you must withdraw from your savings. This matters enormously for portfolio longevity.
Going back to our $500,000 portfolio example: If you need $30,000 annually from savings to supplement Social Security, that’s a 6% withdrawal rate—dangerously high and likely unsustainable. But if part-time work generates $15,000 annually, you only need $15,000 from the portfolio (3% withdrawal rate)—very safe and sustainable. You’ve essentially doubled your portfolio’s sustainability by working part-time.
Morningstar’s 2025 research shows that withdrawal rates above 4.5-5% carry significant failure risks over 30-year retirements, while rates below 3.5% are extremely safe. Part-time work can be the difference between these categories.
Tax efficiency advantages
Working in retirement creates interesting tax planning opportunities that can improve your overall financial picture:
Earned income allows continued Roth IRA contributions: As long as you have earned income at least equal to your contribution amount, you can contribute to a Roth IRA (up to $8,000 in 2025 for those 50+, including the catch-up). This lets you continue tax-free wealth building while simultaneously earning current income. A $7,000 annual Roth contribution for five years at age 65-70, growing tax-free for 20+ years, can provide substantial tax-free withdrawals in your 80s.
Strategic income smoothing: You can carefully manage which years you work to stay below key tax thresholds. For example, keeping Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) below $206,000 (married filing jointly, 2025) keeps you in the 12% bracket and below Medicare IRMAA surcharges. Working two years, taking one year off, then working two more years can keep you in favorable tax brackets better than consistent higher income or large portfolio withdrawals.
Qualified Business Income deduction: If your retirement work qualifies as self-employment or independent contracting (consulting, freelancing, small business), you may qualify for the Section 199A deduction—up to 20% of qualified business income. This can significantly reduce your effective tax rate on retirement work earnings.
Lower effective tax rates early in retirement: In the years between retirement and RMDs (ages 65-73), your taxable income might be quite low if you’re only taking small portfolio withdrawals. Adding $20,000 in earned income might only be taxed at 10-12% (after standard deduction), whereas withdrawing that same amount from your IRA years later during RMDs when you have higher total income could push you into the 22% bracket or trigger Social Security taxation torpedoes.
Social Security earnings test considerations
If you’re under Full Retirement Age (FRA—67 for most current retirees) and have already claimed Social Security, the earnings test applies: Social Security withholds $1 for every $2 earned above $23,400 (2025 threshold). In the year you reach FRA, the threshold increases to $62,160, and the withholding rate drops to $1 for every $3 earned above the threshold.
However—and this is crucial—withheld benefits aren’t lost permanently. When you reach FRA, Social Security recalculates your benefit upward to account for months of withheld benefits. You essentially get them back over time through higher monthly payments.
Still, the earnings test can complicate planning for those who claim Social Security early. The math often favors either:
- Working full-time and not claiming Social Security until FRA or 70, or
- Waiting until FRA to claim, then working as much as desired with no earnings test
The worst scenario financially is often claiming Social Security early while earning enough to trigger significant withholding. You get temporary income, but you permanently lock in reduced Social Security benefits for life while also having benefits withheld during working years—a double penalty.
My recommendation: If you’re going to work substantially in your mid-60s, strongly consider delaying Social Security to at least FRA (67) or ideally age 70. The combination of work income plus maximized Social Security benefits typically produces far better lifetime income than the alternative.
Healthcare cost considerations
Healthcare expenses represent one of the largest financial challenges in early retirement (before Medicare at 65), and this is where working can provide massive financial value beyond just the paycheck.
Employer-provided healthcare: Even part-time positions increasingly offer health insurance, especially at larger retailers like Costco, Starbucks, UPS, and many healthcare systems. Having employer-subsidized coverage for even 2-3 years while you’re 62-65 can save $15,000-25,000 in ACA marketplace premiums or COBRA costs. This effective “raise” can exceed your actual wages if you’re in a high-premium state.
ACA subsidies and income management: If you’re purchasing coverage through the ACA marketplace, your premium subsidies depend entirely on your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). Counterintuitively, earned income from work and capital gains from portfolio sales both count toward MAGI, so taking a low-paying job doesn’t necessarily hurt your ACA subsidies more than living off portfolio withdrawals. In fact, if you can keep MAGI in the sweet spot (roughly 150-250% of poverty level), you can qualify for both ACA premium subsidies and cost-sharing reductions while earning wages and preserving your portfolio.
After age 65, Medicare covers most healthcare needs, but you’ll still pay premiums. Part-time work income can easily cover Medicare Part B ($185/month in 2026) and supplemental insurance ($150-250/month), preventing these necessary costs from eroding your portfolio.
Real numbers: The compound effects
Let me illustrate how these factors combine using a realistic example based on people I know who’ve navigated this successfully:
Couple: Both age 65, $600,000 in retirement savings, targeting $70,000 annual spending
Path A (Immediate full retirement):
- Claim Social Security immediately: $40,000/year combined
- Need $30,000 annually from portfolio (5% withdrawal rate)
- ACA healthcare: $18,000/year (ages 65-65, pre-Medicare)
- Portfolio after 10 years (age 75): ~$490,000 (assuming 6% growth, accounting for withdrawals and inflation)
- Social Security at 75: Still $40,000/year
Path B (Work part-time for 5 years):
- Part-time work (combined): $25,000/year (ages 65-70)
- Delay Social Security to age 70: $52,000/year (30% increase from delaying)
- Portfolio withdrawals ages 65-70: $0 (living on work income plus small savings)
- Employer healthcare (ages 65-67): $6,000/year cost vs. $18,000 (saving $12,000/year)
- Medicare at 65: Still applies, but having worked recently helps with costs
- Portfolio after 5 years of work (age 70): ~$810,000 (grew untouched)
- Portfolio after 10 years (age 75): ~$745,000 (5 years of growth, then 5 years of $18k withdrawals)
- Social Security at 75: $52,000/year (permanently)
Summary comparison at age 75:
- Path A: $490,000 portfolio + $40,000/year Social Security
- Path B: $745,000 portfolio + $52,000/year Social Security
Path B provides $255,000 more in portfolio assets and $12,000 more in annual guaranteed income at age 75. Across a 25-year retirement to age 90, that extra $12,000 annual Social Security totals $300,000 in additional lifetime income, adjusted for inflation. Combined with the larger portfolio, Path B delivers roughly $500,000-600,000 more lifetime financial security—all from working part-time for five years, earning a modest income.
This isn’t theoretical. I’ve watched this play out with friends and fellow retirees over the past nine years. Those who bridged their early retirement years with even modest work income now have dramatically better financial security than those who immediately transitioned to full leisure retirement.
When working in retirement makes the most financial sense
Based on what I’ve observed and experienced, working in retirement provides the greatest financial benefit when:
You’re in your early-to-mid 60s (ages 62-70): This is when delaying Social Security provides maximum value, when sequence risk threatens portfolios most, and when you’re likely still healthy enough to work comfortably. Working even part-time during these critical years can set you up for a much more secure late retirement.
You haven’t yet claimed Social Security: If you’ve already claimed, the earnings test (before FRA) complicates matters, and you’ve already locked in your benefit level. Better to work first, claim later.
Your portfolio is modest relative to your spending needs: If you have $300,000-800,000 in savings but need $40,000-60,000 annually beyond Social Security, you’re in the danger zone for portfolio depletion. Working can dramatically improve your odds. If you have $2+ million, the portfolio arithmetic changes—you might work for non-financial reasons (purpose, engagement) but not strictly for financial security.
Healthcare costs are significant: If you’re pre-65 and facing $1,500+/month in ACA premiums, or you’re trying to avoid COBRA, finding even part-time work with benefits can save massive amounts.
You’re still healthy and energetic: The financial benefits of working are most valuable if you can work without health deterioration. Better to work ages 65-72 and fully retire ages 75-85 than to force yourself to work ages 78-85 because you depleted your portfolio too early.
When to start thinking and planning
You could wait until you reach full retirement to begin thinking about what it will look like. However, it’s better to start in your mid-50s. Perhaps you can get to a pretty good idea before you turn 60.
Even if you’re only 35 or 40, you may already have some ideas about what you’d like to do in retirement. Just in the process of living, we build up dreams, passions, and commitments, and those can be the beginnings of your new focus in retirement.
From my own experience, I’d add this: Start building your retirement work identity before you retire. I began this blog about three years before I formally retired, which meant I had an established platform and purpose ready when I left my IT career. Those who wait until after retirement to figure out what they’ll do often struggle more with the transition and take longer to find meaningful engagement.
What are your plans?
So what will retirement look like for you? Have you thought about it? Are you making plans? It’s certainly worth thinking and praying about before you actually retire. Maybe you’d like to talk to a career or retirement coach. Leaving a career you’ve been pursuing most of your adult life is a big decision. Best to have a plan or at least some fairly concrete thoughts about what you want to do with the rest of your life.
Before I go further, I want to acknowledge that there is a sense in which retirement is a reward—for having worked long and hard and for being a wise steward of your money. If you retire at 65, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve been working full or part-time for 40 or 50 years. You can splurge—take a trip, buy an RV, or spend more time doing the things you enjoy.
I happen to like hiking (which can be physically demanding) and fishing (which I can do sitting in a chair or in a boat). I’d love to be a better golfer, but that probably won’t happen in my lifetime. I hope to have time to do more of these things in retirement, but I don’t plan to spend all my time doing them.
I’ve mentioned this before, but I want to reiterate that leisure and recreation in retirement is a gift from God and something to be relished and enjoyed. Rest from the pressures and stress of work-life can also be a huge blessing. After nine years, I can confirm: the freedom to hike on a Tuesday afternoon, to fish without watching the clock, to travel when airfare is cheap rather than when vacation days permit—these freedoms are precious and worth pursuing.
But the problem is you could live for another 20 or 30 years, and you may be capable of productive activity for much of that time. Some may be hoping and planning for early retirement. If they’re able to achieve that, they’ll have an even longer time in “retirement,” perhaps 40 years or more.
A retirement based on biblical principles of stewardship will not be an extended period of uninterrupted leisure. And in reality, most people will soon realize they need more out of retirement than pure leisure anyway. I’ve watched several friends retire into what they envisioned as permanent vacation only to become restless, bored, and dissatisfied within 18-24 months. Several returned to work not primarily for money but for meaning.
Robert Laura wrote:
Nowadays, a huge percentage of retirees work part-time, dabble with seasonal labor, consult with not-for-profits or startups, and even launch their own business. Average retirement today is unique in that it almost always includes some form of work and, more importantly, it’s not done for purely financial reasons. They’re doing it in a way that helps them stay relevant, feel connected, and apply the skills they’ve learned over a long career.
Randy Alcorn, the well-known author, seems to suggest that retirement isn’t even “safe”:
When a man retires at sixty-five, studies show his chances of having a fatal heart attack immediately double. Our minds and bodies weren’t made for an arbitrary day of shutdown. Nowhere in Scripture do we see God calling healthy people to stop working. Of course, it’s perfectly legitimate to work without pay. It’s your option to give labor to ministry and volunteer work rather than to your present job. But as long as God has us in this world, He has work for us to do. The hours may be shorter, the work different, the pay lower or nonexistent. But He doesn’t want us to take still productive minds and bodies and permanently lay them on a beach, lose them on a golf course, or lock them in a dark living room watching game shows.
What kind of work?
If you’re starting to believe that the essence of a satisfying and fulfilling retirement is some kind of work mixed with recreation, leisure, and rest, and want to continue in productive activities as long as you’re able, what are your choices?
When I think of “work” in the context of retirement, I think about it in several ways. And I’m not necessarily talking about a traditional “job,” although that may be totally appropriate for some people.
I think work in retirement looks different for different people but could be thought about in the following ways:
Creative work
Whether it’s photography, painting, writing, or starting a small business, creativity should be a part of everyone’s retirement. Retirement gives you time for the kinds of creative expression you already enjoy, and perhaps to explore new ones. Maybe you do it for the sheer joy of self-expression, or perhaps you have an eye on leaving something behind that inspires, entertains, or informs others.
Dorothy Sayers wrote in “Why Work”:
Work should, in fact, be thought of as a creative activity undertaken for the love of the work itself; and that man, made in God’s image, should make things, as God made them, for the sake of doing well a thing that is well worth doing. Work is the natural exercise and function of man—the creature who is made in the image of his Creator.
Creative work is a natural expression of who and what we are as image-bearers of our creator God.
The creative economy has exploded since 2015. Platforms like Etsy allow artisans to sell crafts worldwide. YouTube and podcast monetization let creators build audiences around their passions. Self-publishing through Amazon KDP means your book can reach readers without traditional publishing gatekeepers. Adobe Stock, Shutterstock, and similar platforms let photographers license images indefinitely. These weren’t realistic income sources for most retirees a decade ago—now they’re accessible to anyone with internet access and modest technical skills.
Productive work
When we think of productivity, we typically think of output or results. In a traditional job, that means performing against certain goals and getting paid commensurate with performance. So for many, income is a measure of contribution and productivity.
But just because you’re no longer in a traditional job doesn’t mean you can’t do productive work. You can add or create value that benefits others rather than for pay. It’s mainly about contributing—to your church, community, a small business, a political cause, or others in ways that may not involve a profit.
Kevin on SeedTime.com says:
Consider that maximizing retirement savings in order to fund an idle lifestyle may not be the best use of our God-given time and resources. Consider retirement savings as a vehicle to fund a future ministry or a new career or business venture.
So rather than viewing retirement as a “way out” of a job you dislike, view it instead as a means to start a ministry, business, or totally new career without the immediate financial pressure to “earn a living.” Having the ability to do that is a huge blessing.
Starting or joining a small business is an excellent way to do this, even if there’s very little profit involved. The gig economy, remote work normalization, and e-commerce platforms have made this dramatically easier than when I first wrote this article:
Consulting/Freelancing opportunities:
- Upwork, Fiverr, and Toptal for professional services
- Expert witness work (if you have specialized knowledge)
- Fractional executive roles (CFO, CMO, CTO for small companies)
- Business coaching or mentoring through platforms like SCORE
E-commerce and online business:
- Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon)
- Dropshipping through Shopify
- Digital products (courses, ebooks, templates)
- Print-on-demand (t-shirts, mugs, designs)
Service-based business:
- Bookkeeping/tax preparation (especially seasonal)
- Home inspection or real estate related services
- Pet sitting/dog walking (Rover, Wag)
- Home organizing/decluttering
Specialized seasonal work:
- Tax preparation (H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt)
- Retail holidays (Target, Costco, Apple Store all hire seasonally)
- Campground hosting (live in RV, work 20-30 hrs/week, free site)
- Amazon CamperForce (seasonal warehouse work with RV parking)
In my own case, I’ve combined my long-term interests in coaching and mentoring, personal finance, stewardship, and writing into a retirement avocation through this blog. Yes, I set it up as a business, and it currently generates some income. Once you figure in the time I spend maintaining software and services, researching and writing posts, and sending and replying to emails, I’m not making minimum wage! But the non-monetary rewards are great. It’s a labor of love that serves God and helps people, my church, and the community, and that’s most important to me.
One note of caution: If you want to start a small business and your primary need going into retirement is income, you may need a cash reserve or other income to live on as the ramp-up time may take a while. And you certainly don’t want to take on any debt. If you have something already going that you think you can grow quickly after you retire, that could be a great way to start with inertia behind you.
In lieu of starting a business from scratch, you could consider part-time or seasonal work. There are many websites for retiree jobs: RetiredBrains.com, Encore.org, RetirementJobs.com, FlexJobs.com, and specialized platforms for specific industries. Also consider direct outreach to companies known for hiring retirees (Costco, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Starbucks, UPS all have strong reputations for hiring older workers with benefits).
Service work
Work that includes the element of service to others can be particularly joyful and satisfying. It can actually be either creative or productive. As Christians, we all know that serving others is one of the most important things we can do. How we do so will vary in accordance with our gifting and calling.
When we were younger, we may have been too busy with career and family to serve outside our homes or businesses as much as we would have liked. Retirement gives you a new beginning to find a new path for serving others that fully utilizes your talents and abilities. You can pursue the things you’re most passionate about.
For some, that might mean volunteering in the community. For many, it might involve taking a more active role in your church, a parachurch ministry, or nonprofit. I’ve always enjoyed teaching and serve in my church’s children’s ministry. It’s a blast, and although the kids may feel like their grandpa is in the classroom, they don’t seem to mind. Others may want to get more actively involved in social or political causes.
Al on his blog Saving the Crumbs sums it up this way:
I think it’s important for a Christian to first redefine their idea of what “retirement” really is. It simply means a slowing down of labor when age makes it inevitable, and it involves a changing of responsibilities from being a mover and shaker to being a mentor and supporter—it does NOT mean stopping a life of active service. I’ve seen plenty of capable seniors active well into their 80s and 90s. As it’s often been said, far better to wear out than to rust out!
From nine years of lived experience, I can confirm this wisdom. The retirees I know who are thriving—regardless of their financial situation—are those engaged in meaningful service. Those struggling with retirement satisfaction, even with ample financial resources, are often those who defined retirement purely as leisure and haven’t found ways to contribute.
Have a plan, but expect the unexpected
Because nothing in life seems to go as we plan, be prepared for the unexpected. Life up to this point probably hasn’t gone exactly as you planned, has it? It is very reassuring to know that the one who holds our futures in his hands is just as concerned about our life in retirement as he was all the decades before it.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. — Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)
In spite of all the economic and social turmoil, which can weigh heavily on retirement planning, God has promised to help and guide you as you plan for your future. This is our great hope.
After nine years of retirement, I can testify that flexibility has been essential. My retirement has evolved in ways I couldn’t have predicted in 2015 when I first wrote this article. Some opportunities appeared that I never anticipated. Some plans didn’t work out as expected. Health challenges, family situations, economic conditions—all these required adjustments.
But having a framework—knowing I wanted to combine writing, teaching, and stewardship focus with adequate time for leisure and rest—provided the structure within which I could adapt. Those who retired with no plan at all, expecting to “figure it out as they go,” generally struggled more with both purpose and finances.
Bottom line
Retirement doesn’t have to mean the end of productive work—it can mean the beginning of work that’s more aligned with your passions, values, and calling. And financially, continuing to work in some capacity during your early retirement years (roughly ages 62-72) can dramatically improve your long-term financial security in ways that compound over decades.
The key insights after nine years of lived experience:
Work provides more than just income. Yes, the financial benefits are substantial—$15,000-25,000 in annual earnings can transform portfolio sustainability, healthcare affordability, and Social Security optimization. But equally valuable are the psychological benefits: structure, purpose, social connection, intellectual engagement, and a sense of contribution. I’ve seen retirees with ample money struggle because they lacked purpose, and others with modest resources thrive because they found meaningful work.
Early retirement years are make-or-break financially. Working even part-time from ages 65-70 while delaying Social Security and avoiding portfolio withdrawals can add $400,000-600,000 in lifetime financial security compared to immediately retiring fully. This isn’t marginal—it’s the difference between financial stress at age 80 and comfortable security.
The retirement work landscape has transformed. Remote work, gig platforms, e-commerce, and flexible employment have made retirement work far more accessible and appealing than traditional part-time jobs were a decade ago. You can work on your terms, from your location, on your schedule, in areas that interest you.
Plan before you retire. Those who successfully combine meaningful work with retirement started planning years in advance. Whether it’s building consulting relationships, starting a small business, establishing an online presence, or exploring passion projects, the groundwork matters. Waiting until six months after retirement to figure out what you’ll do often leads to frustration and missed opportunities.
Balance is essential. The goal isn’t to simply replace your old job with a new one—it’s to find the right mix of work, rest, recreation, service, and leisure that provides both financial sustainability and life satisfaction. For most people, that probably means working 15-25 hours per week doing something they genuinely enjoy, rather than 40+ hours doing something they tolerate.
The biblical model of work and rest, productivity and Sabbath, purpose and contentment provides our framework. We were created for work—meaningful activity that serves others and glorifies God. Retirement doesn’t end that calling; it transforms it. The question isn’t whether to work in retirement but rather what form that work will take and how it will serve both your practical needs and your kingdom purposes.
After nine years, I can say with confidence: carefully planned retirement work has been one of the greatest blessings of my retirement, both financially and personally. I’d encourage you to prayerfully consider how God might use your gifts, experience, and passions in this next season of life—and how doing so might simultaneously strengthen both your sense of purpose and your long-term financial security.