FACED with redundancy, Terry King was confident she still had plenty to give.

But embarking on a new career in your fifties isn't always a smooth process. Aware of the difficulty people over 50 often face when seeking an alternative career, Terry decided to use her previous experience working in the mature enterprise sector to support the needs and aspirations of the UK's mature citizens through Chapter 3 Enterprise, a community interest company she is busy developing.

Now 62, Terry from Tyersal, who was awarded the OBE for her 20 year career as one of the top project managers in the Department for Work and Pensions, is among a growing number of people who are boycotting retirement to continue with their careers or, as she has discovered, seizing the opportunity to pursue self-employment.

According to an independent YouGov survey, nearly half of over 50s want to keep working between 65 and 70. The research, part of Dr Ros Altmann's work as Business Champion for Older Workers, shows how the way we view retirement is changing, as well as the challenges that older workers face.

More than 2,000 retired and non-retired people aged over 50 participated in the survey which found people are now looking towards a more flexible retirement resulting in the traditional views of retirement becoming a thing of the past.

Thirty three per cent of those working over 70 said they did so because they enjoyed it.

"I just don't want to give up working and I think the reason for that is it keeps my brain going; I am continuing to do something useful, helping people and giving something back; having some structure around my time and additional money is always incredibly helpful. That is why I want to keep doing it," explains Terry.

But Terry admits she wouldn't want to work as she did and believes employers should be open to considering more flexible working arrangements for older employees who want to continue in their career.

"I don't want to work as I did before and absolutely full-on," says Terry.

"People are made redundant and feel as though they have been thrown on the scrap heap but when you are 50 and 55 you still have a lot to give, but I think people do want slightly more flexible working arrangements."

Terry says she is conscious that more older people are now setting up their own businesses than younger people. She says she has spoken to people 'who are thinking about retiring but don't want to sit in a rocking chair.'

"There is more to being semi-retired than taking your flask of tea up to Brimham Rocks!" laughs Terry.

Minister for Pensions Steve Webb says: “How we all look at retirement is changing and the way in which government and business help older workers needs to keep up with the times.

“We are making giant steps in improving this support with almost 250,000 more people aged 50 to 64 joining the labour market over the last year and over a million workers aged 65 and over now in work.

“The results show there is no single view of retirement any more, but the message from older workers is clear; employers need to keep up with changes to society and we have to ensure over 50s have the skills in place to continue developing their careers throughout their working lives.”

Dr Ros Altmann says: “Millions of over 50s have changed their retirement plans in recent years, and now expect to retire later – clearly later life working is very much more important to people than before.

“It is clear that many older people no longer see retirement as turning their back on work. They want to work longer, but shift the pace while still making the most of their skills.

“What’s great is that more employers are now getting the message that older workers can have a valuable role in business, particularly as they increasingly represent their future customers and workforce.

From April ‘older workers’ champions’ will be introduced into job centres across the country to help tackle the age discrimination that can lead to higher levels of long-term unemployment among over 50s than their younger counterparts.

Intensive work support will be offered along with digital support for older jobseekers to get online and link-ups with local small and medium sized businesses with vacancies to fill.

This follows the Fuller Working Lives – A Framework For Action published last year. A new guidance toolkit for employers will also be launched to help them support older staff in the workplace, such as by making changes to working patterns or finding alternative roles for those with age-related health difficulties.

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