Some employers believe that all older adults have generous pension incomes, have no major expense, are comfortably retired, and just want to sit in the sun all day.

They find it hard to believe that someone with a comfortable pension would be interested in working instead of golfing, fishing, or just taking care of grandchildren.

Reality: Many Retirees Need or Want to Work

Many older adults who once believed that their pensions or Social Security benefits would more than provide for their later years are finding they were sadly mistaken,

Increasing living costs, decreasing pension benefits and health insurance, illness, the need to provide for other family member, rising home repair costs, and many other factors can make a paycheck necessary. In fact, many older adults need to supplement their income with some paid work.

There are strategies for those seeking employment. They include:

-Tell prospective employers of your need to work. Employers are more receptive to hiring people when they understand their motivation to work. When they see that the individual both wants and needs to work, they are more inclined to believe that individual will remain with the organization longer, decreasing their cost relative to turnover.

-Explain when your motivations for work are non-financial.

-Stress the importance of the intrinsic rewards you receive from work, such as the satisfaction you get from doing a good job, making a contribution, working with fellow employees and customers, and helping others,

Here are some strategies that may help you keep your job.

-Let employers know of your interest in remaining active on the job.

-Tell them that you intend to work past &8220;normal&8221; retirement.

-Communicate your interest in an alternative work arrangement, such as part-time, temporary, job-sharing, or other flexible schedule.

This information came from the book, UnRetirement by Fyock and Dorton