Retirement – Gary Bennett Publishing

From white collar to blue collar: Working in retirement

By Gary Bennett

Many people retire — and then choose to work. There are many resons for this.

This article appears in the Spring 2026 edition of Frederick News-Post’s “Prime Time” magazine.

I’ve gained a new appreciation for blue-collar workers ever since becoming one myself. Retirement has a way of opening your eyes that way.

It’s not that I didn’t appreciate what they do. I’ve heartily thanked the folks who come to my home and make my life better — electricians, plumbers, HVAC workers, carpenters, exterminators and painters. I’ve marveled at how quickly construction workers can raise up buildings. I’ve admired the grace and dexterity of heavy equipment operators. I’ve respected from afar the work of warehouse workers, baggage handlers, truck drivers, store clerks and more.

It’s just that I’ve always told myself that I’m perhaps a little smarter and planned ahead a little better than they did, especially when I see them toiling away in the elements, in someone else’s home or in a retail environment. You can call me naïve or arrogant for feeling this way, but I did.

The truth is, however, I secretly admired and was always intrigued by them.

What are their days like, I wondered? Does the physical work and fresh air make them healthier than me? Is their hands-on work more meaningful than my more esoteric work? Do they get paid better than me? Would I have the stamina to do the work they do every day?

It wouldn’t take me long to find the answers.

When I retired from my white-collar career in 2020, I suddenly had an empty slate. I knew I wanted to eventually continue working in some capacity. It’s not that I necessarily needed the money — of course every little bit helps — but I wanted to make sure I was busy and filled my days with meaningful tasks.

I suppose if I had a hobby I wanted to pursue with a vengeance or an aging parent I needed to take care of, I would have done those things. But that wasn’t the case for me.

For me, a fun, part-time job seemed like just the ticket for a happy and healthy retirement. I’m not alone.

WHY WORK IN RETIREMENT?

According to AARP, 20 to 25% of all retirees work part- or full-time in retirement. For new retirees — those mostly in their 60s like me — the percentage rises to about 33%.

In the future, it is estimated that the number of Gen X and Millennial retirees continuing to work will begin to approach 50%. Or as my 40-year-old son recently told me, “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to retire.”

It’s no wonder. Today, the working-in-retirement trend is driven largely by financial necessity. Social Security is not enough to get by on, and many folks spend every cent just surviving. They are unable to save for retirement.

But even if they have the money, retirees have other good reasons to continue working. Many want to maintain good emotional and social connections. Others wish to continue feeling useful. Still others want to keep exercising their brains to help ward off mental dysfunction.

I was able to retire early from my high-pressure, white-collar job at age 62. I had a decent 401(k), a paid-off home and good health. I was OK with taking minimum Social Security.

So, as a brand-new retiree, I began doing interesting things that filled my hours. I exercised in earnest, volunteered all around town, provided regular childcare for grandchildren and began writing. I even did a little traveling like new retirees are supposed to do. But for me, it still wasn’t enough. After about six months, I started to get the bug to work again.

I knew I didn’t want to continue in my chosen field, but I also knew I wanted to keep active and contribute to society in some meaningful way. Like a lot of older Americans, I see retirement as a flexible phase to do all those things I always wanted to do. To me, that meant a new job, albeit a fun and part-time one.

I had fantasies about what it would be like to work a blue-collar job that paid reasonably well but didn’t incur much stress or come with mountains of homework. To me, the folks working blue-collar jobs seemed happy and knew what they had accomplished at the end of the day. For me in my marketing and communications job with its demanding and high-powered clients? Not so much.

I didn’t have the stamina or mechanical ability to be a plumber, electrician, or construction worker. But I could drive! I fantasized about driving a big, 18-wheeler, heading out on the open road for weeks at a time with important cargo to deliver entrusted just to me. I would be my own boss. I would see the country.

Then reality kicked in.

Driving a big rig takes lots of training, means lots of responsibility and takes you away from your family for long stretches of time. After the romance wore out, I reasoned, the job would even be kind of lonely.

So, what kind of job could I do and what kind of an organization would want me anyway?

As it turned out, lots! In my case I used a connection my wife had and got a job delivering prescription medications two or three days a week for a local pharmacy. The hours are great — roughly 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — so I still get to have leisurely mornings and stress-free evenings.

Along with helping other people by bringing them something they want and need, I get to be my own boss (pretty much), drive around town in a sporty Ford Focus and get a little sunshine and exercise, too!

After four years of college, a master’s degree, a few awards and 40 years of increasing responsibility and experience as a white-collar professional, I am now a dyed-in-the-wool, blue-collar worker, and I love it!

JOBS FOR RETIREES

Being a delivery driver is not for everyone, of course. But I can tell you there are lots of opportunities out there for older workers. So, if you’ve been thinking about getting back in the job market, go for it!

But be careful. When choosing a job after retirement it’s important to consider your interests, skills and goals. You also want to make sure the job fits your lifestyle and schedule.

Thankfully, AARP has done the research.

Employers with the 15 jobs listed below alphabetically have high regard for retirees and stable, older workers. All offer part-time opportunities without requiring a college degree or a lot of experience. Most will train you. The average wage is in parentheses.

• Administrative assistant ($22.82 per hour)

• Customer service representative ($20.59 per hour)

• Data entry clerk ($20.22 per hour)

• Home health aide ($16.78 per hour)

• Nanny ($23.71 per hour)

• Pet groomer ($16.28 per hour)

• Real estate agent ($28.35 per hour)

• Receptionist ($17.90 per hour)

• Retail clerk ($20.50 per hour)

• School bus driver ($23.26 per hour)

• Secretary ($22.82 per hour)

• Security guard ($18.46 per hour)

• Shuttle driver ($17.62 per hour)

• Tutor ($21.55 per hour)

• Web designer ($45.85 per hour)

So, what have I learned?

You don’t have to be embarrassed by working in retirement. Chances are good your unemployed, retired friends will envy you. Your mind and body will thank you. And it’s a great time to reinvent yourself.

When looking, consider the solid benefits blue-collar work has over white-collar work. (These are generalities, of course.)

DESIRABLE TRAITS OF BLUE-COLLAR JOBS

• It’s easy to see what you’ve accomplished at the end of the day.

• There are not many people problems. That’s for the boss, right?

• People want to do a good job and heartily support others.

• There are no business trips. You can go home every evening.

• Getting light, physical exercise is good for you and a part of the deal.

• You must clock in, but when you’re done for the day, you’re done.

• There are no or little budgeting or bottom-line worries.

• You wear a uniform that is provided so there are no worries about clothes.

• The work does not have to be stressful unless you make it so.

• You mostly work near customers or in the great outdoors.

• There are no social worries. Just get the work done!

• You receive hourly wages, which are often quite good.

• Artificial Intelligence probably can’t take your place any time soon.

UNDESIRABLE TRAITS OF WHITE-COLLAR JOBS

• It’s hard to see what you’ve accomplished at the end of the day.

• If you’re the boss, people problems can wear you down.

• So many people seem to be overly concerned with getting ahead and getting credit.

• The business trips that seem fun at first can wear on you.

• There’s no clocking in — you can come and go as you please (pretty much) but you always have to be “on.”

• There are continuous budgeting and bottom-line worries.

• You must dress for success. That can be expensive.

• The work can be stressful.

• You must strike a fine balance between getting the work done and being a pleasant and available schmoozer.

• You receive a salary, which may not pay you all that well for the hours you actually work.

• Artificial Intelligence could absolutely do your job one day.

NEXT STEPS

As a vital, young retiree, you can get out of your comfort zone, reinvent yourself and try something different. Working in retirement can be fun. If you’ve been a white-collar worker your entire career, try a part-time, blue-collar job in retirement. You won’t regret it.

If you are a retiree in Maryland considering a new part- or full-time job, there are numerous available resources for you. You can contact your local senior center, your state’s Department of Aging or a staffing agency. Additionally, if you live in one of the many retirement communities in Maryland, the staff there may have resources to help you find a job that is right for you. And don’t forget your connections. Chances are they know of available jobs that are looking for someone just like you.

Gary Bennett is a longtime Frederick resident who spends his time hiking, biking, volunteering and providing childcare for grandchildren. He is married and retired from his career as a nonprofit marketing executive.

Retired and Inspired: FCC’s ILR offers courses that pique interest

By Gary Bennett

People takes notes and listen during a class at the Institute for Learning in Retirement.

This article appears in the Winter 2025 issue of Frederick News-Posts “Prime Time” magazine.

Think back to your high school or college days. Do you fondly remember opening textbooks, considering issues and exploring the world through history and literature? I sure do. Back then, our brains were like sponges, soaking up every bit of information made available.

As we grow older, the pace of learning changes. Research shows that by the time we reach adulthood, many of us notice certain mental tasks, like quickly processing new information or tackling a complex problem, become more challenging. Scientists have identified physical changes in our brains that help explain this shift as we age.

But there’s good news: While the speed of learning might slow as we age, the ability to learn never stops. Research also shows that we can continue to expand our minds and acquire new skills as long as we’re willing to put in the effort.

COURSES FOR EVERYONE

Luckily for us, seniors in Frederick can rely upon the Institute for Learning in Retirement for a professionally organized and reliable destination for mature intellectual discovery.

Kelli Ackiewicz, the ILR program manager and a civil engineer by trade, came on board in 2016. She jumped at the chance to lead this program after assisting with women-to-women mentoring at FCC. She jokes that she helped “engineer some issues they had going on at the college” and then brought her prowess to ILR.

Linda Funsch instructs a class at the Institute for Learning in Retirement at FCC.

No one knows for sure how many Frederick County seniors have been served since 1998, but Ackiewicz did share that the Institute has served an average of 700 students annually over the past 10 years, resulting in more than 18,000 enrollments during this time. On average, students take about three courses per year.

Offered in conjunction with Frederick Community College and mostly on its campus, the Institute offers a wide range of diverse, college-style courses. Enroll and you’ll get lectures, handouts, slides and vibrant discussion, but the one thing you won’t get (thankfully) are tests and grades. Courses are designed for adults by adults. They are fun but can also be described as “no-nonsense.” More than 175 courses are offered each year.

The IRL curriculum team offer courses for just about anyone. Each course is designed to be casual, fun and with the needs of older adults in mind, though there is no age minimum requirement. Those not yet retired are more than welcome to join.

Included in the curriculum are courses in arts, crafts and music; computers and technology; food and drink; health and wellness; history, culture and current events; home and hobbies; learning a language; life planning and finances; philosophy, religion and exploration; photography; science and nature; and writing. A full list of the spring 2025 courses is at ILRFCC.org.

According to Ackiewicz, some of the more popular courses are in the history realm, current events and their “learning on location” bus trips.

There are also many unique courses you might not expect to find, like Discover Your Past Lives, Why is a Ghost a Ghost?, Crochet for Beginners, Writing Your Life Story, Maryland Whiskey 101, Successful Aging in Place, Chickenology (how to raise chickens), Beeconomics (how to make money as a beekeeper!) and Introduction to Ballroom Dancing.

A typical course is held in person, although some are virtual and others are offered on location. Most include 8 to 12 sessions, span one or two months, last for an hour or two at a time, and can occur on any day of the week. Offerings vary widely, so it is advisable to check online or ask for a printed catalog to see what best meets your personal interests and schedule.

In general, most winter/spring courses begin in late January or early February (although others may begin later in the year) and finish by late May or early June.

Richard Kaplowitz of Frederick types notes during a class at the Institute for Learning in Retirement at FCC.

Tuition and fees are reasonable. Most of the course costs are comprised of fees that can range from free for courses that last only one session to just over $100 for multi-session courses. Course costs average $59 to $69. If you try a course and find it is not for you, you may be able to transfer into another course or request a refund.

Some courses are free, made possible through the FCC Foundation. The Institute partners with Frederick County Public Libraries, Frederick County Senior Center and others to offer free courses at those locations.

Instructors are usually passionate experts with lived experience in the subject area. IRL does welcome new instructors with new course ideas (if interested, submit a course proposal form at ILRFCC.org). Ackiewicz promises that all new courses selected are given every chance to succeed, offering them at least two or three times before re-evaluating.

STUDENT PERSPECTIVES

Margie Shattuck has taken ILR courses since she moved to Frederick in 2011. She’s studied a number of subject areas and most enjoys courses on subjects she knows little about.

“It’s a great way to learn a few things and see if I would like to study it further,” she said.

She is currently an ambassador for the program, helping to get the word out about the Institute and staffing booths at expos, festivals and meetings.

Shattuck highly recommends ILR.

“It’s helped enrich my life,” she said. “I’ve learned about a lot of subjects I had a slight interest in, such as learning about past lives, technical things like Photoshop, photography on my phone and medical things. There’s a great program called Medically Curious, where a doctor comes in and talks about things like how to research medical issues online and how to avoid incorrect info on the web.”

Curious students can try a wide swath of courses, although it would behoove you to choose areas of interest. If you have a change of heart, partial refunds can be requested after a class begins, but they are not promised.

Also, be ready for a few know-it-alls who seem to know the teacher and the subject matter inside and out. Laugh it off and remember, some things never change.

The author (far right) and some new friends at a Learning on Location class on the Appalachian Trail.

Gary Bennett is a longtime Frederick resident who spends his time hiking, biking, volunteering and providing childcare for grandchildren. He is married and retired from his career as a nonprofit marketing executive.

So You’re Newly Retired. Now What?

By Gary Bennett

Ellen Bennett helps her grandson, Logan, prepare for kindergarten next fall.

This article appears in the February 23rd, 2022, edition of the Frederick News Post.

As we begin to reach our 60s and beyond, most of us can begin to see the end of our working days on the horizon. It can be a sweet picture: wide open, unhurried days with long walks and longer lunches. It’s going to be great, right?

Maybe not.

Without a plan for retirement, these unhurried days can quickly become boring — or worse, detrimental to our health. Most experts agree we need to keep our mind, body and spirit active in retirement.

I retired on Jan. 1, 2020, just before the pandemic began, after a long publishing and marketing career at associations in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. My wife, Ellen, followed me eight months later after an equally long career as a nurse. After two intense but rewarding careers, we were more than ready to retire at age 62.

Our plan for retirement was easy. We wanted to help as many people as we could for as long as we could.

With that in mind, here is our recipe for a happy retirement that allows us to enjoy an active lifestyle while helping others. We realize this pace is not for everyone, but if you ever find yourself bored, pick out one of two of our suggestions and give them a try.

FIND A NEW JOB

This may sound counter-intuitive, but more and more retirees are doing it, and we did as well. We found new jobs.

Three days a week, from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., we serve as caregivers to our two pre-school grandsons. We are exhausted by day’s end but can’t help smiling as we talk over each eventful day.

If there is any way you can swing it, we highly recommend you give this a try. We save our son- and daughter-in-law mountains of money, provide love and peace of mind and — the best part — get the privilege of having front-row seats to the wondrous, daily reality show of children growing up.

Logan, Gary and Gavin Bennett and grand-dog Chloe enjoy the water table.

This is a great “job,” but it wasn’t quite enough for me, so I got a second job delivering prescriptions two or three days a week for Whitesell’s, a local pharmacy. The hours are great (roughly 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.), so I get to have a few leisurely mornings. Along with helping other people by bringing them something that makes them feel better, I get to be my own boss, drive around town in a sporty Ford Focus and get a little sunshine and exercise, too.

Of course, you don’t need me to tell you that the job market is red hot right now, even for seniors. If you try, you can find a part-time job that you will like or perhaps love. Top jobs for seniors according to AARP are teacher’s aide, coach/referee, tour guide, retail salesperson, tax preparer and consultant.

VOLUNTEER

My wife and I also take advantage of the wonderful world of volunteering. Frederick County is special in this regard. Endless opportunities await if you have a sincere desire to make a difference.

I began volunteering shortly after retirement by becoming an English tutor for the Literacy Council of Frederick County. They showed me the ropes, provided teaching materials and paired me with two Spanish-speaking sisters with a strong desire to learn English. The Literacy Council always needs tutors, and I can guarantee that if you give this a try, you will find it immensely rewarding.

Gary Bennett working with one of his English students at the Urbana library.

If you have a little more time, we recommend membership in any of Frederick’s fine service clubs. Each has a slightly different focus but all want to make Frederick County a better place to live and work. Ellen and I joined the Lions. Others include the Elks, Kiwanis, Moose, Jaycees and Rotary.

At Lions, Ellen used her nursing knowledge to start a used medical equipment lending program that serves Frederick County citizens in need with wheelchairs, walkers, bedside commodes and other medical equipment free of charge. She runs this program out of our garage, although we are looking for more permanent space.

Ellen Bennett checks her inventory of used medical equipment for loaning out.

I created an annual Lions event called Canines on the Creek that brings the community together around a fun pet costume contest that raises money for Leader Dogs for the Blind. I also help lead an event called Roar Like a Lion that creates care packages for houseless individuals.

Other volunteer opportunities in the area:

• Frederick County Food Bank, where we stock shelves and help clients choose food. We include our 16-year-old grandson in this endeavor.

• Frederick County Adopt-a-Road program that puts citizens in charge of occasional trash pick-up on stretches of county highways. This activity provides great exercise while doing something good for your neighborhood.

Gary Bennett at the beginning of a two-mile stretch of road the Bennetts have adopted.

• Meals on Wheels, which allows Ellen to use her nursing skills to provide periodic client assessments, and I make deliveries.

• Local homeowner’s association, where we have both served as officers.

• Local election judge, in which I’m currently serving a four-year term and looking forward to the 2022 elections.

• Downtown Frederick Partnership, where we have assisted with Bring a Broom Saturday, Thursday evening Concerts on the Creek and the annual Fire In Ice event.

• American Red Cross, where we have become frequent blood and platelet donors.

• A local church, where we work on our spirituality, make friends and help others. We attend First Baptist Church on Bowers Road and are so glad we do.

KEEP YOUR BODY MOVING

It doesn’t have to be all work, work, work. Frederick County offers many free and low-cost diversions. Ellen and I participate in as many as we can.

Our favorite is the senior exercise classes held at the William R. Talley Recreation Center. They are held daily in the morning, although the best we can do is about once a week. Frederick’s Senior Rec Council also provides opportunities in various sports including hiking, biking, bowling, basketball and softball.

CONTINUE LEARNING

We’ve also taken advantage of Frederick Community College’s Institute for Learning in Retirement. This program offers classes in interesting subjects such as history, politics and languages. Ellen and I have taken several courses, my favorite being Hiking the Appalachian Trail, which helped get me on the trail.