Meet The “Unretired

Millions of seniors are heading back to work-and leading happier, healthier lives because of it

- Susannah Hickling

EVERY MONDAY MORNING retired general practitioner Dr Dominique Hérault leaves his home in northwestern France and drives 25 miles to work at an unusual health hub. The medical centre, set up to address a shortage of local GPs, is entirely staffed by retired doctors and medical students.

All over Europe, people are reaching retirement age, taking a pension, and then getting a job. According to the most recent Labour Force Survey, more than 5 million of the 200 million Europeans working in 2019 were over the age of 65, marking an increase of 82 per cent in 15 years.

Reasons for joining the ranks of the socalled “unretired” vary, though only a fifth of workers over 65 take jobs solely out of financial necessity, according to Eurofound, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions. Most do it because they love their jobs: EU statistics show that 93 per cent of earners aged 65 to 74 are happy in their employment. This return to the workforce keeps economists happy too. “More employment among people post-retirement stimulates the economy and is good for everyone as long as they want to work," says Hans Dubois, research manager at Eurofound.

While it's possible that older and younger generations sometimes compete for jobs, Dubois points out that parttime work and certain positions—like ones that involve mentoring-may actually be better suited to older employees.

There are also clear mental and physical health benefits when pensioners pursue an occupation. Research based on the ongoing Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) shows the unretired have better mobility, feel healthier, and report a better quality of life than their retired peers. In addition, they are less depressed and have a sharper memory.

Here are the stories of four people who opted for unretirement and aren't looking back.