Meet the 'unretirees' who quit work and then went back

When people hit their 50s and 60s, they generally look forward to slowing down, and perhaps leaving work.

But for many, the reality does not match the perception.

These people often become part of a growing cohort of “unretirees” – people who believe they have reached the end of their careers, before realising they’re not ready for a full retirement.

At the age of 51, Cambray was set for what most people would consider to be a dream retirement.

Cambray had bought an estate agency in 2002 and spent almost two decades growing the business to seven offices and 50 staff. After selling the company in 2018, she was excited at the prospect of never working another day in her life.

“Initially, you think, ‘Oh my gosh, this is amazing,'” says Cambray, now 59, from Shropshire. “But then you realise you still have things to do, things to give. Within six months I’d worked out that retirement was not going to be enough for me.”

The world feels like a difficult place at the moment, and it can feel very hard sometimes to find things to be thankful for; when we are overwhelmed, we have less capacity to notice and reflect on the good things. Yet, ironically, proactively cultivating gratitude is one of the things that can actually help us feel less stressed.

Instead of seeing something as a problem, try to see the opportunities within it. 

Our brains are very receptive and what we read or write can alter our emotional system.

This will not only make you feel good, but you will also get a positive response from others.

Throughout your day, try to notice all the things that are going well; has someone opened a door for you, or smiled?

By being thankful for the small things every day, we are far more likely to be and stay healthy so that we can enjoy them.

Leon Poultney, a writer who specialises in cars, gives his EV recommendations, and the ones that should be avoided.

Starts at £22,995 for the smaller battery

Available with either a 40kWh battery or a larger 52kWh pack, that offers almost 255 miles, the latest, retro-inspired Renault 5 is both a joy to behold and a hoot to drive.

The interior has been lavished with a level of detail that’s typically reserved for more expensive cars. 

It offers a remarkable 491 mile range on a single charge from the 85kWh battery.

It is a technological masterclass inside with the ability to option screens that span the entire width of the dashboard, including an optional display for the front passenger.

Priced from £37,400

It’s a lot of money to part with, but this is arguably all the car you will ever need.

The £89,000 Macan is a premium SUV that somehow manages to blend Porsche’s reputation for dynamics and sporty driving with everyday practicality.

The 95kWh batteries can go from 10 to 80 per cent in as little as 21 minutes from the fastest public charging outlets.

With the business class-style six seat configuration costing a staggering £76,995, it is by far the most expensive Kia ever made, but it backs up its financial demands with a suite of genuinely useful and impressive onboard technology.

MG IM6

It’s fast, goes a long way between stops and charges relatively quickly but the interior is bland, the onboard technology is infuriating and the experience is devoid of emotion. 

All of its gadgetry can’t disguise the fact that performance is weak, even for a typically zippy EV, the ride is fussy at slower speeds and it’s not in the least bit enjoyable to drive on a country road.

It’s comfortable to hold, with a point sharp enough for scoring pastry.

For unbeatable searing and heat-retention, cast iron is the top choice. 

Priced at just £22, I’ve yet to find another board that matches it for sheer value and quality.

Pyrex jug

It is the perfect vessel for blending smooth sauces, melting butter, or warming stock. It won’t stain like plastic and the red measurements never fade.

Salter scales

“I’ve had my slim little set of Salter Disc Scales for over a decade, and I’m delighted to see they are still made to exactly the same reliable design today.”

It uses photo-etched stainless steel teeth that stay razor-sharp for a decade, something the lookalike copycats simply can’t match. 

It’s an essential for everything from making velvety soup to getting the lumps out of white sauce. 

As well as delivering great results, cafetieres are easy to clean and there’s no ongoing filter paper costs or pod recycling to deal with.

Oxo peeler

What truly sets it apart is the chunky, rubberised handle that absorbs pressure and stays completely non-slip, even if your hands are wet. It is inexpensive and incredibly durable.

Falcon pie dish

Made by fusing porcelain onto heavy-gauge steel for smooth durability, it is dishwasher, freezer, hob, air-fryer and oven-safe. 

Psychiatrist and neuroscientist Dr Amir Levine, author of bestselling book Attached, explains why we behave the way we do in love.

Start with your own behaviours

The foundation of a secure, connected life is being what I call CARRP: that means being consistent, available, responsive, reliable and predictable. All of these qualities can be enacted in small gestures every day.

Express your needs

People need consistency and connection to feel safe. This is not, ‘You hurt my feelings by never replying to me’, it’s more ‘this is the kind of contact that helps me feel secure’.

If a relationship repeatedly inflames your nervous system, you need to disengage and deprioritise it.

You don’t need hundreds of friends. You need people and places that regularly remind you that you belong. 

Humans are much more complicated than: ‘this happened to you, therefore you are doomed to be anxious’.

When something unsettles you in a relationship, your first reaction is not always the most accurate one. 

If you’re anxious, your brain may jump very quickly to: ‘this is the beginning of the end’. If you’re avoidant, your brain may say: ‘this person wants too much from me, I need to get away’. So one very practical thing you can always do is pause and ask: ‘What would a secure person do here?’

When people talk about loneliness, they often assume it means you don’t have enough people in your life. But you can be surrounded by people and still feel lonely if those relationships leave you feeling excluded, ignored or disconnected.

A bowl of cereal and glass of orange juice

More refined cereals are digested quickly, and fruit juice, whilst one of your five-a-day, contains less fibre than whole fruit. This might mean you find yourself hungry again within 1-2 hours of eating this breakfast.

Swap the orange juice for a whole orange, the cereal for oats and milk or serve it with Greek yoghurt or a boiled egg. This would increase the fibre and protein content; two nutrients strongly linked with fullness.

These pastries are made primarily from refined flour and butter, and are relatively low in protein and fibre.

It is mostly carbohydrate and without protein or fibre, it is digested quickly, leaving you feeling hungry.

Shop-bought packs can contain a lot of white rice, which is digested quickly, and the protein content is often modest.

On its own, it is often very low in protein and calories, so hunger can return quickly.

Unless it’s loaded with veggies, it’s probably pretty low in fibre.

Liquids are generally less filling as they require little chewing which may not trigger satiety signals.

They are ideal for a quick pick-me-up, but if reducing hunger is what you’re after, it’d be better to swap it out.

A full-fat plain Greek yoghurt with berries and seeds tends to be much more filling due to the protein, fat and fibre.

On an empty stomach, it can actually increase your appetite.

Will Harlow, a physiotherapist
for the over-50s and author of Independence for Life, shares
the key signs you’re ageing
badly – and what to do about it.

Ageing well is maintaining the ability to do what you want you want for as long as you want without needing help. Everyone is talking about longevity but what’s the point in living longer if the last decade is painful and you’re [totally] reliant on people?”

When people retire, they often put their feet up and stop. Your body really is use it or lose it.

Throughout our entire lives, Harlow says we need between seven and nine hours of sleep.

The lack of connection can increase the risk of premature death by
as much as 29 per cent.

It really is the proxy for
overall independence.

The more muscle mass you have, the less chance of heart disease, diabetes, falls and even anxiety, depression and dementia. 

The brain can be linked to muscle mass too, Harlow says. It’s not just about being able to lift things. It gives you more energy, better sleep and you’ll look and feel better.

Do short bursts of exercise, between 30 and 60 seconds, in otherwise dead time during the day.

Take joints through a full range of motion for five minutes to loosen it before getting up.

It can increase the decline of muscle mass and bone density, which needs to be avoided. 

Harlow advises 1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight to stop muscle loss alongside resistance training.

Harlow finds that many patients put off making a change to their lifestyle until their lives are consumed by pain. 

For most people, it’s about reducing the number of times per week you’re exercising, not reducing intensity. 

But you should be prepared to keep an open mind.

We’ve compiled the sectors hiring graduate roles, what degree is required, and what they pay.

of employers offered entry-level
positions from July.

That is up nearly 15 per cent from the same period last year.

But graduate unemployment rose to six per cent in 2025 and 700,000 jobless graduates were claiming benefits.

Portman graduates start on £36,000 for the two-year programme and the education you need to apply is a minimum “ABB” of A-levels, and a 2:1 or above university degree. But not in a specific subject.

What makes it particularly rewarding is that there’s always something to learn.

Nearly half (47 per cent) of trade and logistics companies will be giving graduates a go this year.

Salaries start at £30,000 with an uncapped bonus, rising to £50,000 plus a company car as a senior account partner.

More than half (52 per cent) of UK tech and IT firms are actively looking for graduates. 

Successful entry-level candidates can earn a basic salary of up to £35,000, with the opportunity to triple that within their first three years of working.

46 per cent of public sector, health and social services organisations are also ready to take graduates, according to a survey by Manpower. 

According to Waitrose, a dinner party revival is underway led by younger people trying to reduce the cost of getting together.

The i Paper food writer Sophie Morris [below] asks chefs for their best ideas for hosting at home.

People will feast on the
bread, and then need less fish/steak/expensive whatever. All small plates restaurants know this: this is why the first thing on the menu is always artisan bread and butter.

Chef and food writer Helen Graham turns vegetables into centrepieces to cut down on meat and fish expenses.

Graham’s recipes include a braised cabbage with a preserved lemon sauce, a roast cauliflower with saffron, and harrisa roast carrots with mango labneh.

Guests will always appreciate a stellar interpretation of the ordinary. Think lasagna or curry.

Cooking dinner for your guests is spoiling them – you’re being generous with your time, your effort, and your home. So don’t feel the need to go overboard elsewhere.

Ask friends to bring a contribution, be it a nibble or a pudding.

[Presentation] can be the key to elevating something . Spaghetti and tomato sauce suddenly looks like a feast when tumbled on a lovely big plate, dressed with olive oil and parmesan and placed in the middle of the table.

Have one expensive filling, like shredded chicken, and two cheaper options, like refried beans, says Ella Risbridger.

Shop-bought ice cream is so easily zhuzhed up with the help of handy toppings, says Eleanor Steafel.

Cambray decided to re-enter the workforce in a different capacity. Three years later in September 2021, she began teacher training with the help of Now Teach, an organisation specialising in giving people a second career in education.

She has now spent four years in the classroom teaching history, where, she argues, her age is an asset.

“You need people who have been out, lived and experienced the real world, rather than purely academia. I’ve taught children about places I’ve been, I tell them, ‘Yes, you need to travel, you need to leave your hometown and go and see the world.'”

Research by Standard Life found that one in six retirees have either already returned to work or are considering it, while Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) figures show the proportion of over-65s with earnings from employment rose to 16 per cent in 2025, up from 14 per cent three years earlier.

Many unretirees are forced back into work due to financial reasons. Three in 10 retirees told Standard Life that their standard of living is worse than before they stopped working.

A report from The Centre for Ageing Better published in June found 1.8m people in their 60s in England – more than one in four – are financially insecure, with this figure set to pass two million within a decade.

Dr Andrea Barry, deputy director for work at the Centre for Ageing Better, says women are particularly exposed, often because they have less pension savings than men.

“We found that if a relationship broke down in their 50s – if they suddenly didn’t have that second income from a partner – women found themselves needing to go back into work with no other reason than that,” she says.

But money is not the only driver of unretirement; a quarter said they felt lonely or socially disconnected when not working.

Barry says the old model of retirement – a set date, a fixed monthly income for life and decades of leisure – is becoming a thing of the past.

“The idea of what retirement means has changed significantly compared to 20 or 25 years ago,” she says. “More people are working into their 70s and 80s. There’s been a labour market creep – people continuing to work, then going in and out of work well into later life.”

After four decades working in the international construction business, Harpinder Walia, in his 60s, could’ve retired comfortably – but at the last minute, decided to do the opposite and retrained as a maths teacher.

“If you’ve got the energy in you, you’ve got to keep going, otherwise it’s all downhill from there,” says Walia. “I’ve always loved maths – all I needed was teacher training.”

Walia, originally from India but now living in Essex, finds his new career incredibly rewarding, and is convinced the decision to dodge retirement was the correct one. “You get a kid standing in front of you saying, ‘Sir, I get it’ – that feeling is unparalleled.”

Walia is earning much less than he did before but says work is no longer about the money. “My previous international career allowed me to pay for our son and daughter to go to the top public schools in the country, but it is a well established fact that a teacher’s salary is quite low for the workload.”

So happy is he in his new career that he can’t imagine retiring any time soon. “At the moment I look forward to work, and as long as I can make a difference to even one child, I’m going to carry on.”

Of course, for a substantial number of pensioners, unretirement is a positive decision driven by social changes around family and community. Barry points to retirees like Mary whose pension income means they can afford to take a job below their old salary purely for the structure and company.

“These people want to contribute; they don’t like sitting around doing nothing.” They get a bit of extra money, but also get the social and community aspect of working,” says Barry. “Their kids and grandkids often don’t live nearby, so they’re seeking connections through work.”

This resonates with Cambray, who maintains that selling her business was the right decision. She tried volunteering, and even sitting as a magistrate at one point, but found these never quite scratched her itch to be active again.

“I spent the time during Covid doing my research and came to the conclusion that what I wanted to do was train as a secondary school teacher,” she says. “I wanted something that would interest me, use my experience, and in some way give something back.”

But Cambray is keen to point out that anybody considering a return to the workplace – especially in the form of a new career – should not expect a walk in the park. “There have been days when I’ve said it was a lot easier being a chartered surveyor! You’re working with professionals, not teenagers. In a classroom you are literally on parade from the moment you step into school to the moment you step out.”

Unretirees also face a tricky obstacle in the form of ageist employers, explains Barry.

“Women tell us that from around their mid-40s they’re made to feel they’re already too old for the labour market… Overall, people are told at around 57 that they’re too old to be in work. And that institutional experience is something people forget – someone who’s worked in a field for a long time has a breadth of knowledge younger people may not have.”

Cambray knows this first-hand. Her most recent teaching contract ended last July, and with school budgets squeezed, history posts are thin on the ground. She is invigilating and tutoring while she hunts for the next role, and has no intention of giving up.

“This generation, we have an awful lot of experience to give, to share, and I think it’s a shame when that is lost,” she says.

Is there an age when she plans on retiring for good for a second time? “No. I’d carry on until such time as I felt I didn’t want to do it any more.”