Retired from service, but not from work: Senior citizen takes up second careers

When her son happened to have a position vacant in his company, Rashmi’s 25 years of experience in the field gave her a lift and she made the job hers.

Rashmi is among hundreds of senior citizens in Chennai who are raring to go for a second innings. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the percentage of senior citizens is on the rise in India and within the next 30 years, the population of those above 60 is likely to cross 2 billion worldwide. The job market will most certainly take a hit, but what if it can be improved by giving aging workers a ‘second career’?

“Two decades ago, less than a third of people who were 55 and above were employed or looking for work. Going forward, it will increase rapidly. So, in a dwindling work market, it will become vital to create a platform to attract older workers,” says 63-year-old D Manohar, a freelance recruiter based in Chennai. Based on his experience, elderly people are always an asset to a company because of their experience. He says, “Take my father brother for instance — Sundaram is 68 but he retired nine years ago. His knowledge and expertise in the field of mechanical engineering is astounding and he can turn consultant for top companies.”

Azgar Pasha, who works for a headhunting company with branches in Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad, agrees with Manohar. “There are many companies in India and close to 20 in the city that are willing to hire employees above 60. My firm acts as a via media between companies and senior citizens to help fill positions on the board and top management like managing director, president, CEOs, COOs, CFOs, vice presidents, country heads and general managers.”

He calls aging works ‘well-oiled machines’ but the only downside is health. “People who are 60-plus are always at the risk of falling ill. Their minds may be 30 but the body stops cooperating after a point. We offer work from home or consultancy options, where they need to come in two-three days a week, to solve this,” he explains.

As per estimates by a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) report, the 60-plus population will increase at 22 per cent and outnumber the population below 15 years of age by 2050. “This brings forth the necessity to build a friendly, safe and a suitable environment for the ageing to therefore ensure positive sustenance of the society at large,” says Mohit Nirula, CEO of Columbia Pacific Communities.

Of the top five concerns that senior citizens face, financial security and sustainability amidst high inflation, and isolation or lack of social opportunities are the highest. He says, “Both of these can be solved if workplaces open their doors to capable, healthy senior citizens. Being productively occupied can also do wonders for their morale, thereby helping them to age positively.”

S Raman, a 63-year-old working as the general manager for a tannery, says he doesn’t want to sit at home post retirement for this very reason. “After having worked for 34 years, I think I will go crazy and drive my wife up the wall if I sit idle at home. I am planning to work for two more years and would like to go back to my hometown to become a teacher — my second innings will begin then,” he smiles.