The world of work has been turned upside down since the pandemic, and one group that's really stepped up is the 45+ workforce. A lot of experienced people aren't interested in just retiring anymore.
They're jumping back into the job market, but they want to do it their way. We're seeing everything from project managers going freelance to former bosses starting their own small businesses. The silver economy is growing fast. The World Health Organization says that by 2030, one in six people around the world will be over 60. Places like Japan, the U.S., and parts of Europe already have over 25% of their people aged 60 or older.
It's not just about numbers, though. People want to stay active. A survey from AARP in 2024 found that 65% of workers over 50 want to keep working past the usual retirement age. They mostly want flexibility and to feel like they're doing something meaningful.
Actually, sites like Upwork and Fiverr have seen registrations from people aged 45+ go up by 35% in just the last two years. This group is valuable because they've been there, done that. They've seen markets crash, handled crises, and led teams before hybrid work was even a thing.
Now, they're picking and choosing what they want to do—consulting, joining boards, starting businesses part-time, or taking on leadership roles for a set period. This lets them stay involved without getting totally burnt out.
Companies are wising up. Some are now making special programs to bring older workers back, changing their health plans, and offering phased retirement so they can keep or attract these experienced workers. Deloitte said recently that teams with people of different ages do better at solving problems—often because the older folks help keep things steady.
This change isn't just inside companies. The silver economy, which is all the products and services aimed at older people, is predicted to be worth $15 trillion worldwide by 2030, according to the OECD. From fitness apps for older adults to AI that helps with care, entrepreneurs aged 45+ are creating solutions for their own generation.
Basically, having people work longer isn't a bad thing—it's a great opportunity. And these experienced folks aren't slowing down. They're just getting started.