Unretired Seniors Flock to Gig Work to Boost Incomes and Stay Active, Survey Shows

Stu Goldberg, 74, never expected to spend his retirement nights navigating New York City traffic as an Uber driver, but financial necessity—combined with a desire to stay engaged—drove him back to work. Goldberg, who holds a Ph.D. in neuropsychology and once ran his own business, now shuttles passengers through the city’s streets, finding unexpected fulfillment in late-night conversations with strangers. His story mirrors a growing national trend: Americans are increasingly ‘unretiring,’ returning to the workforce after decades in retirement to combat inadequate savings, soaring living costs, and the psychological toll of idle time.

The Retirement Savings Crisis: Why Seniors Are ‘Unretiring’

The decision to return to work isn’t merely a lifestyle choice for many seniors—it’s a financial lifeline. A January 2025 survey by AARP, a nonprofit focused on aging issues, revealed that nearly 20% of Americans over age 50 who aren’t fully retired have no retirement savings at all. This figure underscores a broader retirement crisis exacerbated by stagnant wages, the erosion of traditional pensions, and the skyrocketing cost of healthcare. For Goldberg and countless others, gig work has become a stopgap measure to cover essential expenses like groceries, medical bills, or even the occasional root canal.

The Role of Inflation and Rising Costs

Inflation has further strained fixed incomes, with the consumer price index rising 3.4% in 2023—the highest in decades—before moderating slightly. Social Security benefits, which many retirees rely on, have failed to keep pace with these increases. ‘We’re seeing people who thought they had saved enough realize that their nest egg isn’t stretching as far as they’d hoped,’ said Carly Roszkowski, AARP’s vice president of financial resilience. ‘The idea of retirement as a permanent exit from the workforce is increasingly a relic of the past.’

How Gig Work Fits Into the ‘Unretirement’ Boom

Gig platforms like Uber, Lyft, Rover, and TaskRabbit have emerged as popular options for seniors seeking flexible, low-barrier employment. Unlike traditional jobs, these roles allow workers to set their own schedules, decline assignments they find physically taxing, and engage in social interactions that combat isolation. For Barbara Baratta, 72, a former pediatric nurse who retired in 2018, dog walking through Rover provided both a paycheck and a way to stay active. ‘I get my steps in and do hill climbing,’ she said while leading a 80-pound mixed-breed dog named Barley through her New Jersey neighborhood. ‘But I’ve learned the hard way that not all dogs are easy to handle—some pull hard, and my knees aren’t what they used to be.’

The Allure of Flexibility and Social Connection

The psychological benefits of gig work are just as compelling as the financial ones. Baruch Schwartz, 78, a former wedding photographer, transitioned to driving for Uber and Lyft after the physical demands of his job became unsustainable. ‘I feel like I’m on a mission,’ he said after transporting a passenger home from a kidney dialysis appointment. ‘The stories people share—about their lives, their relationships—it’s like having a front-row seat to humanity.’ For seniors who struggle with the monotony of retirement, gig work offers a sense of purpose. ‘Days can feel long and lonely after one retires,’ Goldberg noted. ‘Working part-time gives me structure and something to look forward to.’

The Hidden Costs and Risks of Gig Work

While gig work provides autonomy, it comes with significant drawbacks. Workers lack the safety net of employer-provided health insurance, paid time off, or disability benefits. ‘The house always wins,’ said Alexandrea Ravenelle, a sociologist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who studies the gig economy. ‘Platforms like Uber and Lyft control the rates you earn, and if you’re injured on the job or face unexpected expenses like car repairs, you’re on your own.’ Goldberg’s experience illustrates this reality: over three weeks, he blew out three sets of tires after hitting potholes, costing him $144 each time—expenses not reimbursed by Uber.

Vehicle Upkeep and Physical Strain

For drivers like Goldberg, the wear and tear on a personal vehicle can erode earnings quickly. Uber requires drivers to maintain their own commercial auto insurance—a requirement in New York City—and covers base liability insurance, but gaps remain. ‘You’re paying for your own gas, your own wear and tear, and your own insurance,’ Goldberg said. ‘And if you’re not driving for a day because of a family emergency or a dental issue, you don’t get paid.’ Similarly, dog walkers face physical challenges. Baratta, who charges $20 for a 30-minute walk, warns that large or energetic dogs can be hazardous. ‘An 80-pound dog is going to pull,’ she cautioned. ‘I’ve had to turn down jobs where the dog was too much for me.’

Income Variability and the Gig Economy’s ‘Take Rate’

The take-home pay for gig workers is often far lower than advertised. Rover, for example, keeps approximately 20% of Baratta’s earnings, while Poplin—a laundry service app—allows experienced workers like LisaKay ‘LK’ Foyle, 64, to cherry-pick high-paying ‘express’ orders. ‘I’ll only take the jobs that pay well,’ Foyle said from her home in Orange, Texas. ‘I’ve seen families’ laundry where socks are inside-out, underwear is stuffed in pants pockets, and there are marbles or frogs mixed in. But the pay has to justify the effort.’ Even with selective work, Foyle’s monthly income supplements her Social Security and a small pension, helping cover basic expenses. ‘I’m not getting rich,’ she admitted, ‘but it’s enough to make a difference.’

Key Takeaways: What Seniors Should Consider Before Joining the Gig Economy

• Nearly 1 in 5 Americans over 50 have no retirement savings, pushing many into ‘unretirement’ to cover rising living costs.
• Gig work offers flexibility and social engagement but comes with financial risks, including vehicle maintenance costs and platform fee deductions.
• Platforms like Uber and Rover provide autonomy but lack traditional job protections such as health insurance or paid time off.
• Physical demands vary by role—drivers face vehicle wear and tear, while dog walkers must assess the safety of pets they handle.
• Income is inconsistent; workers must strategically select high-paying gigs to maximize earnings and avoid burnout.

The Broader Implications: A Shift in Retirement Culture

The rise of ‘unretirement’ reflects a fundamental shift in how Americans view retirement. Historically, retirement was seen as a reward for decades of labor—a permanent break from the workforce. But today, with lifespans extending and financial security increasingly elusive, many seniors are redefining retirement as a dynamic phase of life that may include paid work. ‘The concept of retirement as a cliff—where you work up until one day and then stop—isn’t a reality for most people anymore,’ Roszkowski said. This trend has implications for policymakers, employers, and families. For employers, an aging workforce could mean more experienced workers but also higher healthcare costs. For policymakers, it highlights the need for reforms like expanding Social Security benefits or creating portable benefits for gig workers. And for families, it underscores the importance of financial planning earlier in life to avoid the scramble for income in later years.

Expert Advice: How to Navigate Gig Work as a Senior

Financial advisors and employment experts urge seniors to approach gig work with caution. ‘Before signing up, calculate your true costs—gas, insurance, wear and tear on your car, or even the time spent traveling to jobs,’ advised Ravenelle. She also recommends researching platform policies on injuries and accidents. ‘If a platform doesn’t offer accident insurance or workers’ compensation, you’re taking on significant risk.’ Goldberg, who has driven for Uber for three years, suggests setting aside a portion of earnings for unexpected expenses. ‘You need a buffer,’ he said. ‘Because one bad week—a cracked windshield, a family emergency, or a root canal—and you’re left scrambling.’

The Future of ‘Unretirement’ and Policy Responses

As the gig economy continues to grow, so too does the need for safeguards for older workers. Some states have begun exploring portable benefits models that would follow workers across multiple gig platforms, providing access to healthcare, retirement savings contributions, and paid time off. In 2024, California passed a law allowing gig companies to voluntarily contribute to a portable benefits fund for workers, though participation remains optional. Meanwhile, AARP is advocating for broader reforms, including expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit for low-income workers over 65 and strengthening protections for independent contractors. ‘We need policies that acknowledge that work in older age is a reality for many,’ Roszkowski said. ‘And we need to ensure that work is safe, dignified, and sustainable.’

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