ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Wilda Barrios’s company went out of business in 2019, so she decided that if she lived frugally, she could retire and pursue volunteer work.
After the pandemic, she spent two years volunteering in Africa with Mercy Ships, a global nonprofit organization that provides free surgical care and medical training in underserved communities. When she returned to the U.S. in 2024, she faced an unexpected reality.
“I was shocked at the cost of living here. It had gone up tremendously, and I was like, ‘There’s no volunteering now. I have to go back to work,‘” Barrios said.
Despite having over 14 years of administrative experience in human resources and newly gained international experience, Barrios told News 6 that she applied to more than 800 positions, received only two interviews and landed just one job.
“I’m an independent contractor taking calls all day long,” she said. “There’s no benefits, the pay is very low, and it’s just making ends mee. It’s not getting ahead.”
Barrios' story reflects a growing trend among older Americans returning to the workforce. According to AARP, more than 39 million people aged 55 and older are currently in the labor force—more than two and a half times the number from 40 years ago. Many are seeking new jobs or re-entering the workforce due to financial pressures.
A recent AARP survey. found that making extra money is the most common reason older Americans are returning to work.
Additionally, LinkedIn’s Economic Graph reported that the share of baby boomers who returned to work in 2023 after retiring was nearly 24% higher than the previous year and the percentage of baby boomers that exited retirement last year (13.2%) is at a five-year high.
Carly Roszkowski, vice president of financial resilience programming at AARP, told News 6 that financial stability is just one of the reasons older Americans are staying in or returning to the workforce.
“People want to continue working not just to make money, but to stay challenged, have purpose and avoid social isolation,” Roszkowski said.
Social connections play a crucial role for many older workers. Barrios, for example, found a sense of community through an AARP program called the Ethel Gathering Groups, which organizes outings for retired and semi-retired women.
“We went strawberry picking last weekend,” Barrios said. “It was something I would have done with my kids when they were younger. Now, I get to do it with other women, and we had a ball.”
Challenges facing older job seekers
Despite their experience and dedication, many older workers can face age discrimination when searching for jobs.
“I’ve been coached to downplay my resume so people don’t know how old I am just by looking at it,” Barrios said.
Roszkowski and the AARP offer practical advice to help older job seekers navigate potential biases in the hiring process.
“We recommend that job seekers focus on highlighting their skills rather than their age,” she said. “You don’t have to include graduation dates and make sure you take off your street address, which is an outdated practice.”
Roszkowski also advised older job seekers to modernize their applications by using a current email service, such as Gmail, and optimizing resumes with keywords tailored to job descriptions to get past automated screening systems.
“We have a ton of free resources at AARP, including webinars and upskilling courses,” she said. “Networking is critical, whether it’s through LinkedIn or reaching out to friends and former colleagues.”
For those considering re-entering the workforce, Roszkowski encouraged maintaining confidence and staying proactive.
“Older workers bring valuable experience and soft skills, like leadership and communication, that employers need,” she said.
Barrios remains hopeful but realistic about her situation.
“A steady job with benefits would mean I wouldn’t have to pay for my own health insurance anymore,” she said. “I could enjoy simple things, like going to the movies.”
As Barrios continues her job search, she offers a piece of advice to younger generations.
“Save your money,” she said. “It gets harder the older you get, and having savings can make a big difference down the road.”
For older job seekers looking for support, AARP provides career tips and resources at aarp.org/work.