‘Unretirement’ on the Rise: Many Georgians Return to Work Amid Economic Strain

New Surveys Show Financial Strain, Rising Costs, Food Insecurity as Major Factors

Many older Americans, including a growing number of Georgians, are returning to the workforce due to rising economic pressure, according to a new AARP survey of adults age 50 and older. Nationally, 7% of retirees have “unretired” in the past six months, and nearly half (48%) cite the need to make money as their primary motivation.

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For Georgia residents, these national findings echo economic realities at home, where living costs continue to rise, and many older adults face tight budgets.

“Basic expenses are the number one reason older adults continue to work or job-hunt,” said Carly Roszkowski, Vice President of Financial Resilience Programming at AARP. “With the cost of living still high and many people worried that they don’t have enough saved for retirement, the trend of older adults working longer will likely continue.”

In Georgia, annual per person spending averages $50,282, with notable costs for housing, food, healthcare, and transportation.

Housing costs, in particular, remain a pressure point. The median monthly rent in Georgia is $1,434, below the national median $1,639 but still a major expense for retirees on fixed incomes, according to a Consumer Affairs report. 

Additionally, long term care expenses in Georgia are climbing, according to Genworth Financial, Inc., with 2024 median costs such as:

• $64,064 annually for homemaker services (up 12% year over year)
• $59,280 for assisted living (up 20%)
• $105,850 for nursing home semi-private rooms (up 11%)

These increases exceed inflation in several categories adding pressure on older adults’ budgets. 

Among Americans 50-plus who are working or job hunting, 41% say they do so to afford everyday living costs. For Georgia specifically:

• Georgia trails the national average in the share of older adults who remain employed, according to preliminary BLS data analyzed in 2023.  
• The state’s unemployment rate remains low (3.3%–3.6% in December 2025, depending on seasonal adjustment), but many older workers still express concern about job security and job availability. 

Survey data also shows:

• Nearly one quarter (24%) of older workers fear losing their job within a year.
• About two thirds (67%) believe it would be difficult to find a new job.
• More than one third (35%) point to age discrimination as the main barrier, consistent with AARP’s findings and broader workforce research.

Georgia’s older adults face added vulnerabilities:

• 12.1% of Georgians age 65+ live in poverty, above the national rate of 11.3%.
• Food insecurity affects 8.5% of adults age 60+ in the state.

These conditions reinforce the financial necessity that drives unretirement and continued work, yet companies stand to benefit from hiring these workers. “Older workers contribute a wealth of experience, skills, and perspectives to the workplace, and many are eager to learn new skills and technology,” Roszkowski continued. “For employers, tapping into their skills and expertise makes good business sense.”