Comedy writer Gene Perret once said, “Retirement: it’s nice to get out of the rat race, but you have to learn to get along with less cheese.” And in today’s world, it’s not only the cheese that’s costly. Reports of rising costs and inflationary pressures are causing almost all retirees to do a double-take at their bank accounts and asset statements. CBS News recently reported that the falling stock market has wiped out $3 trillion in retirement savings this year. Fortune magazine recently posted that consumers nearing retirement age now dine out less, cut back on shopping, and are driving less frequently due to the high cost of gasoline. In fact, a new survey from BMO Harris Bank reports that 25% of Americans are delaying retirement due to inflation. And for those planning to retire? A large proportion (79%) say they worry about a lower standard of living in retirement or even fear outliving their retirement savings. And that’s if they have savings. The median amount that baby boomers have saved for retirement is reported to be $112,000, which is only 39% of the $268,000 Fidelity says you should have in the bank by age 60. The financial outlook looks increasingly grim for many retirees or soon-to-be retirees.

So if you’re thinking twice about your retirement, should you go out there and try to get rehired? Those who “retired” during the pandemic are considering whether to re-enter the workforce, especially given labor shortages, rising wages, and the acceptability of more flexible hours and remote work. There appears to be data showing that the number of Americans approaching retirement age who are currently in the workforce is back to the levels of pre-pandemic times. Mostly consisting of adults in their late 50s and early 60s, these older workers have returned to a labor environment in desperate need of help and with employers who are creating programs welcoming back older workers. Whether due to boredom or the need for more monthly income, it appears that many recently retired individuals would consider returning under the right circumstances. In fact, a CNBC survey reported that nearly ⅔ of those recently retired would consider returning to their jobs.

And there are many entities out there trying to help older job seekers find the right position under the right circumstances. Previously agebuzz reported on the website Xbound which works to match highly experienced older workers with interested employers or volunteer opportunities. Other entities hoping to help you in your search include AARP, which has a program where employers pledge to develop age-diverse organizations and can access AARP job boards for older applicants. There’s also the organization WAHVE, which recruits retirees and those over 50 who have experience in accounting, insurance, or human resources. WAHVE matches workers with employers in need of those skills and offers remote positions with flexible hours. One other example comes from Utah, where a “returnship” program has been set up to encourage those with long absences from the workforce to come back to the employment arena.

So, your bank account is dwindling, your assets are falling in value, and you’re bored or looking for meaning in your life: Is there a reason not to get back out there and look for a job? Well, there’s certainly no lack of advice to help you think through the considerations, including from recently “retired experts” like Richard Eisenberg, who writes The View From Retirement biweekly column for MarketWatch, or from George Jerjian, author of the recent book Dare to Discover Your Purpose: Retire, Refire, Rewire, and who started a retirement coaching business after searching for meaning during his own retirement.

Nonetheless, there are a series of questions you should probably consider before you click on that employment website and start your search. A recent post in US News titled “How To Unretire” suggests you think through the reasons propelling or preventing you from going back to work: money versus meaning, for example; your current home obligations (do commitments limit your availability for work?); could you address your financial concerns by cutting costs rather than increasing income; what would be the impact of your return to work on your receipt of Social Security and Medicare coverage? Alternatively, the Wall Street Journal (paywall) recently printed a post about whether “blind spots” about what retirement means in the 21st century- how your time and expertise have value- may keep you from heading back to work once retired. No doubt there are still obstacles for older adults (especially those over 65) who want to return to the workforce. But given the current environment, it does feel like if there’s a will there’s a way to re-enter the work arena for retirees who are “tired” of retirement.