It’s a wonderful time for early retirees like myself. Those of us who believe that retirement isn’t the absence of working but the absence of needing to work should see even more attractive opportunities. Even though there is plenty of talk about a retirement crisis of financially unprepared retirees, the boomers are still retiring at a pace of 10,000 a day. That’s 10,000 every day! On top of that, the latest national unemployment rate just came in at 3.9% and there is a growing business gripe that they are having trouble finding qualified employees.

With the high number of boomer retirements, one can only logically see a different retirement crisis brewing. One where boomer retirements is going to be an increasing negative impact on employment numbers. That is certainly one retirement crisis I’m not worrying too much about. In fact, it may eventually make it even easier for people who are prepared financially to retire early and often.

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Seeing This Employment Retirement Crisis As An Advantage

I’ve had some great retirement gigs and even a sweet encore career. I took things as far as I wanted and then retired again. I haven’t been tempted to accept another opportunity for the simple reason that I now value time more than money. Most opportunities like I would be attracted to still insists on cheeks-in-seats 40 hours a week. But things will have to change to meet the hiring demands of business. Here’s what I think may be coming –

More Flexibility –

Some companies are already offering remote-report opportunities. But I think this will expand. Right now everything I have seen or been approached with still want a full-time commitment. That just isn’t aligned with what I value now. What would really draw me back is part-time or flex-time opportunities.

Consulting Expansion –

My encore career was working through a consulting company. I’m looking forward to seeing more short-term opportunities. Single project types where even though it requires 40 hours a week it would only be for a short period of time. Even part-time consulting opportunities may become more common.

Entrepreneurial Opportunities –

Starting my own specialized business to fill other companies needs may be easier to land steady client work. This is something I would be attracted to since I could better define my work offering.

Downsized Opportunities –

As others get promoted to fill more senior level positions because of retirements, there may be many lower level openings perfect for early retirees. Especially if offered with flexibility, open to consultants, or to entrepreneurs.

At some point business will realize that offering slight salary increases and tossing some benefits here and there won’t be enough to meet their needs. Although I haven’t personally seen evidence that business is ready to open up their employment alternatives to be more friendly to picky early retired folks like me, I believe it’s only a matter of time. The old employment model of their way or the highway isn’t going to fill job openings in the near future with ever dwindling available workers. And if my logical assumptions of transformed work opportunities never comes to pass, then great. I will happily stay retired and smirk when I hear or read about business complaints of not being able to find qualified employees.