As the population ages, retirement retirement is gaining prominence as a viable option for seniors who wish to remain active into old age.

In recent years, we have seen a significant shift in the demographic profile of the workforce, with a notable increase in the participation of older workers. This phenomenon reflects not only the aging of the population, but also a change in perceptions about the role of older people in the labor market. In this context, retirement retirement is emerging as a relevant and increasingly discussed alternative.

Retirement retirement is a concept that refers to a retiree’s decision to return to the labor market after retirement. With increasing life expectancy and the need to supplement their income, many seniors are opting for this option to remain active and financially secure.

However, retirement retirement is not just about financial necessity. Many seniors find work a source of personal fulfillment, socialization, and purpose. By remaining active in the labor market, they can continue to contribute their skills, experience, and knowledge, as well as stay mentally stimulated and socially engaged.

Studies, such as this one from Harvard Business Review, show that teams formed by different generations offer the most varied skills, which complement each other.

A relevant aspect to be considered when addressing un-retirement is the issue of social security. In Brazil, the social security system does not explicitly contemplate un-retirement, which generates doubts and uncertainties for those who wish to return to work after retirement. However, there are discussions and proposals underway to regulate this type of return to the job market.

In addition, it is important to highlight that un-retirement is not limited to returning to the same job or sector in which the individual worked before retirement. Many elderly people choose to seek new job opportunities, explore entrepreneurship or even carry out volunteer activities that contribute to society.

In short, un-retirement represents a growing trend in the job market, driven by the aging of the population and the need for greater flexibility in the social security system. For seniors, this modality offers the opportunity to remain productive and engaged, while contributing to the country’s economic and social development.

Let’s learn about some real stories of people who decided to take a chance on the job market again and the reasons behind these choices.

The restless one

Edelson Delpoio Basilio, uncle of Ingrid Parmeziani, our Customer Service Representative, had a very good position within the company where he worked and spent years there. He made a successful career plan, with the goal of retiring and continuing to work. He retired at the age of 44, working for the giant Brasken as a chemical engineer. After this consolidated “career end” move, he decided to reconsider his steps and leave the company at the age of 60. The following year, he left and began providing consulting services in the same area. “My motivation was to be able to continue doing what I always liked with the option of being able to refuse the boring part,” said Edelson. “Keeping my mind working on useful things is fantastic!”

Now, at the height of his 71 years, he continues to do consulting and engineering projects. Both to avoid being idle — because, according to his niece, “he can’t do it,” and to supplement his income (which tends to be higher before retirement, right?). “Being asked to help someone solve problems that you have already faced is also motivating. Today I am working on a very large project, but I confess that it is taking up more time than I would like.”

The persevering

And he’s not the only one in the family. Solange Parmeziani, Ingrid’s mother, who is also retired, continued working in the same place where she retired, completing 39 years as an architect at Mauá City Hall last year. She began her internship in October 1984 and, at 64, is preparing for her 40th anniversary by dedicating herself to city projects. Solange retired at 49 and continues working to keep her head on straight. “It keeps me active, with my head in the right place.” Speaking of which, she confided that recently, when she was transferred to a quieter area of ​​the city hall, she ended up not having to work much and became depressed. In the following administration, she was invited to return to her original position, which, despite being hard work, is where she feels good, happy and fulfilled. She is the one who approves the construction projects for the entire city — very fancy.

She believes that she is even more focused today than when she was younger, because she makes a point of showing how essential she is to the smooth running of her projects. And even with the opportunity to become self-employed and work whenever she wants, she preferred to keep her job. Not only for the salary, but also for the relationships and challenges that her position entails. And here’s a spoiler: for her, there is no set date for when she will stop working. According to Solange, “In my head, I have a few more years [of work] ahead of me.” But to slowly change her routine, this is the last year that she will work an 8-hour workday. Starting in 2025, she will work a new 6-hour workday. We hope that she is very successful in whatever she decides to do with her career, and that she continues to be very happy with what she does (we know who Di gets after, right?).

The fortress

Michael Marçal’s father-in-law, FOME’s Marketing Strategy, is another Brazilian Mr. Antônio. In Marçal’s words, “a cool black guy who came here from the countryside of Bahia”, bringing his wife and a dream of trying to have a better life. He started working in construction and managed, through hardships, to support Dona Zélia and her three children — “all born one after the other”. “He never lived in prosperity, always with little, but very happy with what he had achieved… no matter how little it was, it was a lot, because anyone who has gone hungry knows what it’s like to have little”. Today, at 67 years old, after recently retiring, he has returned to work with long-term “odd jobs”. The contractors who always hired him continue to trust his exceptional work and continue to invite him to work on new projects around the world.

The most special thing about all this is that he went back to work for two main reasons. To ensure that he and his wife have their annual trip to Bahia to see their family and siblings, whom they miss dearly; and where history repeats itself: to help his middle son, who works in the same field as his father to support the family, pay for an apartment he recently bought. Basically, Mr. Antônio didn’t go back to work for himself or to provide a luxury here and there, but for others, to do what he knows best and loves to do in life: take care of others.

Yes, life doesn’t stop anymore. At any age, at any time. We are increasingly working towards an eternity, moving towards living with dignity during our senior years.
The government is planning to increase the number of people who are no longer eligible for retirement, where the benefit is withdrawn/paused for a new calculation in the future. How much is this worth? It depends on your profession. The social security ceiling means that the maximum amount that your retirement can reach does not change, regardless of the time worked.

But more and more people are including their names in the market as legal entities. Fewer expenses, more money. At this point, that would be ideal, right? The government is thinking about better designing these new behaviors for the coming years, since the average life expectancy is only increasing and no one wants to rest without having the minimum conditions to cope with their routine.
Scenes from the next chapters?