The New Shape of Retirement: Why More Australians Are Choosing to Work Part-Time
Retirement used to have a clear picture.
You worked hard for decades, stepped away in your 60s, and settled into a slower pace of life. A well-earned rest.
But that picture is changing and, for many of the clients we speak to at JBS, it is changing in a really positive way.
Today, retirement is not about stopping. It is about reshaping life.
As one of our recent guests shared in conversation, “Retirement isn’t the end of work anymore. It’s about choosing the kind of work that still gives you purpose.”
And that shift is showing up clearly across Australia.
Research shows that around one third of Australians aged 65 to 69 are still working in some capacity, whether full-time, part-time or casually. At the same time, workforce participation for older Australians has more than doubled over the past two decades, reflecting a long-term change in how we think about later life.
So, what is really going on here?
A Story We Hear Every Day
Take Peter and Linda.
They came to us a few years ago convinced they were ready to retire. Financially, they could. The numbers worked.
But six months in, something did not feel right.
Peter missed the structure of his week. Linda missed the social connection of her workplace.
So, they made a small change. Peter picked up two days a week consulting. Linda started working casually at a local community organisation.
What surprised them most was not the extra income.
It was how much happier they felt.
“It’s not about needing the money,” Peter told us. “It’s about feeling like I still have something to contribute.”
This is what we are seeing more and more. Work in retirement is no longer just about financial necessity. It is about identity, connection, and purpose.
Retirement Is Becoming More Flexible
Australian research backs this up.
Around 25% of people aged 65 and over who keep working say they do it to stay socially engaged and mentally active.
This aligns with what we see in real conversations. Clients are not asking “When can I stop working?”
They are asking “How do I design a life that still feels meaningful?”
As our guest said so simply, “People don’t want to retire from something. They want to retire to something.”
That distinction is powerful.
Not Always About Choice
Of course, it is not always driven by purpose alone.
Some retirees return to work because they need to. Rising living costs, longer life expectancy, and concerns about running out of money all play a role.
In fact, research shows that some older Australians continue working because they feel they cannot afford to fully retire.
This is where consumer sentiment is shifting.
There is a growing awareness that retirement is not a fixed destination. It is a moving target, shaped by economic uncertainty and lifestyle expectations.
From our perspective at JBS, this reinforces the importance of advice that is flexible, not static.
Another Story That Says It All
We recently worked with Karen, who had fully retired at 62.
After two years, she felt restless. Travel was enjoyable, but it was not enough on its own.
She decided to go back to work part-time in a mentoring role within her industry.
The impact was immediate.
“I didn’t realise how much I missed being needed,” she said. “Now I feel like I’ve got the best of both worlds.”
And that is the key.
This is not about going backwards. It is about building something new.
What This Means for Retirement Planning
At JBS, we see this as one of the biggest shifts in modern retirement.
Planning is no longer about a single end date. It is about creating options.
That means building strategies that allow you to:
- Step down gradually rather than stop suddenly
- Combine income streams from super, investments and part-time work
- Adjust your lifestyle as your needs and goals change
Because the reality is, retirement today looks different for everyone.
And that is a good thing.
A Gentle Thought to Take Away
If you are thinking about your own retirement, it might be worth asking a different question.
Not “When will I stop working?”
But “What do I want my days to look like?”
Because, as our guest so perfectly put it, “Retirement is no longer about slowing down. It’s about choosing how you want to show up.”
If this resonates with you, it might be a good time to have a conversation about what your version of retirement could look like.
And how to build a plan that supports it, both financially and personally.
Jenny and our team are ready to help you make the plan that suits you and your lifestyle, contact us here.
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