The Rise of the Unretiree

Posted on August 16, 2025 by Millree Williams, One of Thousands of Retirement Coaches on Noomii.

Today’s retirees aren’t fading away — they’re starting next chapters with energy, more freedom, purpose, and control than ever before.

For some people, retirement was supposed to be the victory lap — Sleep in. Travel. Relax. And, for a while, it was great.

But then…the itch came back. Not for the old grind, but for the spark:
 Solving real problems.
 Using your hard-earned expertise.
 Feeling the camaraderie of working toward something bigger than yourself.

More and more retirees are unretiring — Not because they have to. Because they want to. They’re consulting. Launching businesses. Working part-time in fields they’ve always been curious about.
And they’re doing it on their own terms — enjoying flexible hours, meaningful work, with no ladder-climbing unless they choose it.

The numbers tell the story:
 37.3% of Americans 55+ were working in 2024—up from 31.5% in 2000.
 Among those 65–74, participation is projected to hit 30.7% by 2031.
 1 in 6 retirees are considering going back—most for fulfillment (57%), not just money.
 Even workers 75+ are on the rise — expected to go from 8.6% to 11.1% over the next decade.

Here’s the thing: Unretirement isn’t a step backward; it’s a pivot forward—toward purpose, connection, and relevance. But, what do you think?

If the right opportunity came along…would you unretire? Here are four questions to help frame your early thoughts:
 What’s the biggest reason you would unretire?
 What’s the biggest reason you wouldn’t?
 If you could design your perfect unretirement gig, what would it be?
 What will your next step be?

I’m curious — if you could design your perfect unretirement, what would it look like? Share your vision in the comments — you might inspire someone else’s next chapter.
Thinking about unretiring?

Unretirement isn’t about going back. It’s about moving forward—on your terms.
 If you’ve already unretired, what’s been the biggest benefit.
 If you’re considering it, what would your ideal unretirement look like?

Want to chat? Book a free, 30-min conversation with me.