Working in retirement: don't hang up your hat!
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Retirement doesn’t mean hanging up your hat


Monday, 27 January 2025

For many older Aussies, retirement is a chance to start fresh, give back to the community or turn hobbies into income.

Whoever said retirement means stepping away from a busy and fulfilling lifestyle clearly hasn’t met today’s retirees. Gone are the days when retirement meant a quiet life on the couch!

These days, retirement can be much more about shifting gears than coming to a complete stop. For many, it means diving headfirst into new opportunities, passions and even new careers!

Retirement? More like a career remix

Who says retirement has to mean giving up work altogether? For many, it’s a chance to do what they love instead of what they have to do.

Whether it’s consulting, starting a small business or taking up a part-time gig at the local nursery, work in retirement can feel less like a job and more like an exciting second act.

In fact, the 2024 Keyton Retirement Living Lifestyle Report found that:

  • 30% of retirees are still participating in some form of paid or volunteer work. 
  • Nearly one third are either volunteering (18%) or working part-time (12%).

For Peter and Jan at Waverley Country Club, this balance is everything. They’ve combined relaxation with part time work to create a lifestyle they love. 

➡️Read more about how they’ve created the perfect work-life balance for them.

The rise of the senior-preneur

Retirement is also the perfect time to unleash your entrepreneurial side. With years of experience, a bit of extra time and fresh ideas, many older Aussies are starting their own businesses.

Whether it’s turning a hobby into a side hustle or launching that dream venture, this stage of life can be the start of something big! 

➡️Read more on how entrepreneurial retirees are making small business work for them.

Giving back is the new clocking in

If paid work isn’t your thing, volunteering might be. Retirement is the perfect chance to do something meaningful and find your purpose by giving back.

According to the Keyton Lifestyle Report, 18% of retirees volunteer and those living in retirement villages are leading the charge, with 30% volunteering compared to 17% of non-residents. 

It's true that village life has a knack for bringing out the volunteer spirit. 

➡️Read some real life stories of how residents in Keyton villages around Australia are giving back - whether it’s using their skills at local tourist spots, supporting fellow residents or mentoring the next generation

Volunteering is a great option if you want to stay active, connected and involved. 

➡️Check out the five biggest benefits for older Aussies here.

Grandparenting: the best job ever!

Retirement often means more time with family and for many that includes stepping into the role of nan or pop. 

Whether it’s helping with school runs, cheering from the sidelines or just enjoying the little moments, being a grandparent can be one of the greatest joys of retirement.

More and more, retirees are finding ways to balance being nan or pop with part-time work or volunteering. 

➡️Want to know how they do it? Check out our guide to balancing work and family as a modern grandparent.

Retirement is what you make it

At the end of the day, there’s no rulebook for retirement. It’s all about finding what lights you up, whether it’s starting a passion project, learning something new or volunteering to help others.

Retirement is the perfect time to reimagine what life could look like, reinvest in what matters most to you and redefine how you spend your days. So, why wait? Start exploring the possibilities and embrace the life you've always dreamed of!


For more information about the lifestyle and support offered at our retirement villages, call our customer service team on 1800 550 550 or send us an email here.

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