Trending Now - Growing Number of Seniors Turn to Gig Work for Extra Income

WHO:

AP News - Stu Goldberg, 74, a retiree with a Ph.D. in neuropsychology; Carly Roszkowski, vice president of financial resilience at AARP; Barbara Baratta, 72, a retired pediatric nurse; Baruch Schwartz, 78, a former wedding photographer; LisaKay “LK” Foyle, 64, from Orange, Texas.

WHAT:

AP News - A growing number of Americans have “unretired” in recent years, returning to the workforce due to insufficient retirement savings and rising living costs.

AP News - About 1 in 5 Americans over age 50 who aren’t retired report having no retirement savings, according to a survey conducted by AARP in January 2025.

AP News - Goldberg drives for Uber and has experienced financial challenges, including paying $144 three times to replace tires after hitting potholes.

AP News - Baratta charges $20 for a half-hour dog walk and earns between $1,000 to $2,000 per month from her pet care work.

WHERE:

AP News - Goldberg drives for Uber in New York City; Baratta works in a leafy suburb of New Jersey; Foyle operates in Orange, Texas.

WHEN:

AP News - Goldberg prepared to pick up passengers on Tuesday, March 31st, 2026; AARP survey conducted in January 2025.

WHY:

AP News - Seniors are returning to work to fund longer lifespans and cope with rising living costs.

AP News - Goldberg needed to earn more money than what occasional adjunct professor jobs would pay.

HOW:

AP News - Seniors are finding gig work through apps or digital platforms, allowing them to set their own hours and work flexibly.

AP News - Foyle maximizes her earnings on the Poplin app by accepting higher-paying express orders and declining lower-paying jobs.

(UPDATED April 2, 2026 23:13 UTC)

A growing number of Americans are "unretiring," with many seniors returning to the workforce due to insufficient retirement savings and rising living costs. For instance, 74-year-old Stu Goldberg drives for Uber in New York City to supplement his income, while 72-year-old Barbara Baratta earns between $1,000 to $2,000 a month walking dogs in New Jersey. According to an AARP survey from January 20th25, about 1 in 5 Americans over age 50 who aren’t retired report having no retirement savings, highlighting the financial challenges many face as they seek flexible gig work to support their longer lifespans.