13% of Retirees Continue to Work: Who Are They, and Why?

In its study “Employment, Unemployment, and Earned Income,” published in July 2024, INSEE reveals that 13% of retirees continue to work. Who are they, and why do they make this choice?
 

As the legal retirement age has gradually been raised, the proportion of older adults who are still working has continued to rise in recent years. At the same time, the number of people who have already claimed their retirement benefits and continue to work has also risen significantly—and not solely for financial reasons. Why do more than one in ten retirees continue to work?
 

13% of Retirees Continue to Work
According to the “Employment, Unemployment, and Earned Income” survey conducted by INSEE, 13% of retirees were still working in 2023—more than one in ten retired French people. Contrary to popular belief, this decision is not always—or not solely—motivated by financial reasons. In fact, 36% of those surveyed said they chose to continue working because they find it satisfying.
 

Of this 36%, 21% say they enjoy working, and 15% do not want to lose human contact and their social life. However, 38% of the retirees surveyed explain that their choice is primarily motivated by the need to earn supplemental income from their professional activity. This financial motivation is linked in particular to having a mortgage to pay off (for 23% of those surveyed), being a renter (21%), or having a child in the household (17%).
 

According to Agirc-Arrco, the supplementary pension fund for employees, “The salary earned while working in retirement increases the income of the retirees in question by a factor of 1.5.” INSEE has identified other reasons for combining retirement with employment. For example, one in 20 people makes this choice because their spouse is still working. This motivation is more prevalent among the self-employed—particularly farmers (8%)—than in other professions.
 

Striking Disparities Depending on the Type of Occupation
When it comes to working while receiving a pension, not all professions are in the same boat. Self-employed individuals, in particular, are often affected by this situation, especially during the first few months after they begin receiving their pension benefits. In fact, it sometimes takes them a while to find someone to take over their business. “Whether this sale goes through is not entirely predictable and may take place after the individual has begun receiving their retirement pension,” explains INSEE in its study.
 

Thus, 33% of shop owners continue to run their own businesses after retiring. Among artisans, this proportion is 25%, and 23% for farmers. The self-employed workers most affected by this situation are professionals, 42% of whom continue to work after retirement. In general, more men continue to work after retirement (15%) than women (11%).
 

Disparities also exist among employees, although they are less pronounced. Thus, 12% of managers and office workers continue to work, compared with 7% of manual workers who have retired. Depending on the occupation, however, significant differences can be observed. This is the case, for example, for child care providers, 26% of whom continue to work, and for workers in direct-to-consumer services (20% of whom continue to work). INSEE explains that “it is undoubtedly easier for them to scale back their work more gradually over time by continuing to work for the individuals who employ them.”
 

The INSEE study shows that 13% of retirees continue to work, often for reasons of personal fulfillment or financial necessity. Self-employed individuals—particularly shopkeepers, artisans, and professionals—are most affected by this situation. Employees, especially managers and staff, also show variations depending on their occupation.