As a retiree, you’ve worked hard to get to where you are. After years of preparing for this journey, it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. However, if you’ve been reconsidering your decision to retire, you’re not alone.

According to a survey by ResumeBuilder.com, approximately 20% of retirees in 2022 considered coming out of retirement or “unretiring.” With the cost of living on the rise across the country and market volatility, it’s no surprise that some retirees are questioning if they were financially or emotionally ready to leave their full-time job behind.

Whether you want to put less pressure on your retirement accounts or you’re simply looking for more ways to stay engaged, these four tips enable you to re-enter the workforce while still enjoying the freedom of retirement.

#1: Leverage your expertise

There are many ways to apply the knowledge and skills you’ve honed over the years to generate extra income. It could be as simple as going back to work at a previous employer part time or working for yourself as a freelancer or consultant in your industry. You could even mentor or coach those looking to break into or advance through the ranks of your previous line of work.

Whatever your knowledge or skill set, there is usually someone in need of your expertise — and willing to pay for it too.

#2: Follow your passion

Many people use retirement as an opportunity to explore their passions in a way that wasn’t feasible when they were working full time. Is there a hobby or activity that you enjoy that could help you earn some extra income? Is there a new interest that you’ve always wanted to explore but didn’t have the time or resources previously? From working at your favorite golf course to ushering for your community theater or sports arena, whatever your interests may be, there’s often a way to earn some extra cash while enjoying your favorite activities. 

#3: Give back to your community

Many retirees use their free time giving back to their communities. In fact, in a recent Edward Jones and Age Wave study, 92% of retirees said that having a purpose is key to a successful retirement. However, there are more ways to give back to your community besides volunteering or donating money. You could work part time at a nonprofit organization that’s important to you, coach or referee for a youth sports league, or even become a substitute teacher at your local school.  

While volunteer and nonprofit organizations will likely not be able to pay you much, it could still help ease the pressure put on your savings. Start by asking organizations that you currently volunteer for and see if they have any paid, open positions. You may be pleasantly surprised by what’s available to you.

#4: Take advantage of employee discounts

Going after jobs that offer employee discounts is a great way to generate extra income and save money at the same time. For example, working at your local grocery store, bookstore, or movie theater can help you save money on things you frequently purchase while earning money at the same time.  

Moreover, with the pandemic making remote work more and more common, you could easily do administrative work for stores or companies that you frequent from the comfort of your home. Online job boards like Monster.com or FlexJobs.com are a couple of resources to help you find well-paying and flexible jobs.

A note about your Social Security benefits
If you decide to go back to work in some capacity, your Social Security benefits may be impacted in the form of a reduction in benefits or higher tax liability. It’s a good idea to talk with your financial advisor before going back to work to prepare for any potential financial impacts.