AARP Survey Reveals Increase in 'Unretiring' Among Older Americans Due to Cost of Living
A recent survey conducted by AARP has revealed that a growing number of Americans aged 50 and over are returning to the workforce after retirement, a trend referred to as 'unretiring.' The survey, which included responses from 2,083 adults aged 50 and up, found that 7% of retirees have re-entered the labor force in the past six months, an increase from 6% in the summer of 2025. The primary motivation for this shift is financial necessity, as many retirees are struggling to cope with the rising cost of living. Carly Roszkowski, vice president of financial resilience programming at AARP, noted that the traditional concept of retirement as a definitive end to working life is no longer a reality for many. The survey also highlighted challenges faced by older workers, including age discrimination and health issues, with 67% of respondents indicating difficulty in finding new employment. 
