I’m a CEO and 12 of my employees are in ‘flextirement.’ With boomers opting not to retire, the arrangement will become more common

Ary·RetirementI’m a CEO and 12 of my employees are in ‘flextirement

Additionally, ’ With boomers opting not to retire, the arrangement will become more commonBy Jennifer BarnesBy Jennifer Barnes Jennifer Barnes is CEO of Optima Office

Jennifer Barnes, CEO of Optima Office, welcomes flextirement among her older employees

At the same time, Courtesy of Optima OfficeFor as long as I’ve been a owner, the narrative surrounding the baby boomer generation was all the coming retirement wave, in today's financial world

We were mised a mass exodus from the workforce, a seismic shift that would leave companies scrambling to fill the void

At Optima Office, an outsourced accounting and HR company I founded almost six years ago, we began preparing for the shift in the workforce by focusing on high retention

Moreover, We felt that listening to the needs of our employees was one way to do that

After speaking with some of our baby boomer employees, I realized that many of them loved their work—and mentoring the younger team members—so much that they didn’t want to hang up their hat when they turned 65

Furthermore, That generation was led to believe that retirement was the dream that they had worked so hard to achieve, but upon reflection, the stark transition from full-time work to full-time retirement felt more a demotion than a reward

While at many companies the path to retirement is a rigid ladder—climb to the top of your career, hit a designated age, and then retire—this one-size-fits-all apach often leaves retirees grappling with financial anxieties, identity shifts, and a sudden loss of purpose

Some forward-thinking companies are reimagining retirement with a new apach, and I decided we would create an alternative option at Optima Office: flextirement (noteworthy indeed)

Meanwhile, Easing into retirement Flextirement is a flexible work arrangement designed to ease the transition between full-time employment and retirement with flexible hours, reduced workloads, and phased apaches to leaving the workforce, in today's market environment

This bridge offers a lower-stress transition by easing into retirement by working 10, 20, or 30 hours instead of 40, allows flextirees to adjust to an income shift, explore hobbies, and spend more time with loved ones, all while gradually letting go of work

For most of our flextirees, working part-time is a privilege

Furthermore, For others, it may be a financial necessity

Believe they’re behind on their retirement savings

Meanwhile, For owners myself, there are many advantages

Moreover, Seasoned employees, when transitioning to a flextirement role, can become invaluable mentors for younger colleagues

Plus, as we know well, as an outsourced HR company, finding and training replacements for senior employees can be expensive, in light of current trends

Flextirement vides a cost-effective way to attract experienced employees and retain them—and their institutional knowledge, in today's market environment

I’ve always advocated for a very flexible work environment, and Optima Office offered flextirement from day one

We need highly skilled resources such as CFOs, and I’ve found an incredible talent pool that is near retirement or coming out of retirement to work part-time (quite telling), considering recent developments

It’s important to note, however, that we don’t just give our employees nearing retirement a flexible place to work; we let people of all ages work the hours that make sense for them

Flextirement has had an incredibly positive impact for our team at Optima Office

Moreover, The evidence shows se seasoned veterans, the ones with decades of experience under their belts, didn’t have to completely step away

Moreover, They craved a balance—the intellectual stimulation of their careers without the full-time commitment

And for us as a company, the benefits were undeniable, reaping the value of their experience and know-how, amid market uncertainty

Today, 12 of our employees are on a flextirement plan, in light of current trends

They work anywhere from 12 to 25 hours a week, mentor junior employees, and contribute to specific jects where their expertise shines, in today's financial world

Furthermore, Meanwhile, They're able to make their own schedule and spend time with grandkids, but also give their many years of expertise to the companies who need them

Beyond nical expertise, our flextirees bring a wealth of soft skills honed over decades of experience, considering recent developments

Furthermore, They understand team dynamics, the art of negotiation, and the importance of communication

This leads to the conclusion that se are invaluable lessons for our younger workforce

Our flextirees are demonstrably happier and more engaged

They have the time for their personal s, hobbies, and families, yet they remain connected to the work they love

Additionally, This, in turn, fosters a company culture that prioritizes well-being and work-life balance

Moreover, And, as I mentioned, it isn’t just boomers that get this benefit; I’ve always let our team work part-time if that is what fits their lifestyle, so there is no resentment from younger employees

On the other hand, Embracing flextirement To implement this, you could start by offering part-time roles to the older generation

Start in areas you need them most

At the same time, It could even be in positions such as assistant work or administrative

However, Or it could be in highly skilled areas such as the C-suite, in today's market environment

Moreover, Be open-minded when speaking with candidates

Outside of flextirement, consider how many parents want a more gradual transition back from maternity/paternity leave or want to work part-time while their children are young

As a mom of a toddler, I have learned this firsthand and have since also made it an official policy at Optima Office to vide additional flexibility to parents so they know they have our support to adjust their work schedule in different stages of their parenting journey

Many of our baby boomer flextirees—now working part-time in order to take on a more active role in their grandchildren’s s—wish they had this arrangement when they were new parents as well

As the baby boomer generation continues to redefine retirement, flextirement is poised to become more commonplace

On the other hand, Companies that embrace this model will reap the benefits of a wealth of experience, knowledge transfer, and a happier, more engaged workforce

Moreover, Here at Optima Office, we’re not just weathering the storm of a changing workforce, we’re riding the wave

Flextirement isn’t a concession, it’s a nontraditional apach to retirement with advantages for companies and their employees

As more companies embrace this innovative apach, the traditional retirement cliff might just become a gentle, flexible slope where everyone can find their own comfortable landing point

Read more: Why I’m still working at the age of 73—and yes, I know that sounds horrible to many Count me among the boomers shunning retirement

I’m leading a startup in my 60s despite being set for life I’m nearing 65 and am better than ever at my job, in this volatile climate

With more boomers opting not to retire, I’m not alone Retirement is becoming just the ‘third half’ of life (which is quite significant)

Here are the 4 key mindsets we’ve identified among the new generation of retirees The opinions expressed in Fortune, amid market uncertainty

Com ary pieces are solely the views of their and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of Fortune

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