I'm 72 years old, healthy, retired for 5 years and completely bored with my life — I want to go back to work but no one wants to hire me because of my age. What can I do?

Updated: 29 Jan, 2025 • 0 • min read

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Almost one-fourth of retirees struggle to find purpose in their lives after leaving their jobs, and 22% said that the transition into retirement was harder than they had thought it would be.

The percentage of baby boomers who left retirement in the past year hit a five-year high of 13.2%. Furthermore, roughly one in four Americans who have retired plan to continue working for pay during their post-retirement years.

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The difficulty, however, lies in finding rewarding work at an older age, particularly if there's a gap in one's work history.

If you're struggling to land a job, don't give up, you still have other choices.

Work for yourself

If you're more interested in pursuing work in retirement to give your time a sense of purpose rather than solely for financial gain, this might be a good moment to consider entrepreneurship. When you're no longer reliant on a paycheck to support your loved ones, you'll have more flexibility to take the time to become successful and can work in a field that truly interests you, even if the pay is not exceptionally high.

Look for a budget-friendly business venture that leverages your skills. You might consider opportunities like baby-sitting, acting as a personal chef, freelance writing, dog walking, pet-sitting, or tutoring. These possibilities can offer a healthy balance between work and personal life, and allow you to turn your hobbies into a paid job.

There are many online apps you can sign up for to get your business started — or you can learn to create a basic website and advertise in some local groups to find potential customers.

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Volunteer your time

Volunteering can be a great way to use your time and might even provide you with a chance to get your foot in the door at a company that could potentially hire you one day.

You may have the chance to meet other professionals while doing volunteer work, who could let you know about potential job opportunities. Some charitable organizations even offer paid positions, and they might be interested in hiring you if a slot becomes available, depending on the type of work you're doing.

If one option doesn't work out, volunteering can still be a way to keep your resume current if you have a gap in employment after retiring. You might also find that you prefer to volunteer, donating your time to a cause that matters to you instead of going back to a traditional corporate job – especially since you'll likely have a sufficient retirement nest egg.

Build your network

Getting a job might be easier if you increase your network of contacts. If you're connected to someone or a company that's currently hiring, you'll have a better chance of securing a paid position.

Online tools like LinkedIn can be helpful, or you can find out if any professional groups operate in your area. You can also contact your former employers or old colleagues to see if they have any connections that can help.

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By following these steps, you can likely find something that adds significance to your days. In the end, you only get one retirement and you deserve to relish every moment of it.

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