Work has always had a funny habit of refusing to stay in its lane.
For a long time, it was meant to start at one time, finish at another, and politely leave you alone in the evenings. But for Boomers and Gen X, work hasn’t behaved quite so neatly. It’s lingered, reappeared, and shapeshifted in surprising ways.
Which is exactly why Work earned its place in the Gen Voices video series, examining how later life is evolving for these two generations.
Still working… but not like before
On paper, the generational divide looks clear. 83% of Gen X are still working, compared to just 35% of Baby Boomers. Case closed, right?
Not quite.
Only 21% of Gen X see their work as a career, while 25% say their work needs to make a positive contribution to the wider community. And just 19% want to be seen as successful, suggesting that climbing ladders has lost some of its appeal.
Boomers, meanwhile, are more likely to have retired, 65% have, but retirement doesn’t always mean work disappears. Skills resurface. Experience finds new outlets. And work quietly re-enters life, often on much more agreeable terms. For many, those choices sit alongside finances too, with 38% using other savings and investments to fund retirement.
So no, work doesn’t stop. It just stops behaving like it used to.
From ‘employment terms’ to ‘on-my-terms’
What comes through strongly in the Work film is how much time changes things. Not just having more of it but valuing it differently.
When hours aren’t dictated by habit or expectation, people start making different calls. Roles are chosen because they’re enjoyable. Commitments are shaped around energy levels. And that quiet moment of realisation arrives; work doesn’t have to disappear to feel different.
For some, it’s a surprise how often old experience proves useful. For others, it’s the relief of knowing that enjoyment now gets a vote. And for many, it’s the simple pleasure of being needed, but on their own terms.
Why work still matters (even when it’s optional)
Work still plays a role in how people feel about themselves. It brings structure, purpose and connection, even when it’s no longer the main event.
Boomers may be more likely to have stepped back, yet 23% still want to be seen as successful. Gen X may still be working in large numbers, but success increasingly comes with small print; balance, meaning and plenty of flexibility required.
Those overlapping attitudes are where some of the most interesting stories live.
Here’s a small taster of the Work film
“When I left work, I'd shut the door, thinking I probably won't use that again. But that's not the case.”
Watch the Work film
The Work film captures these moments beautifully, with Boomers and Gen X reflecting on how work has surprised them, challenged them and, in many cases, quietly improved with age.
Watch the Work film now at genvoices.co.uk
And if you’re curious about what else is changing, there’s more to explore:
- Risk
- Work
- Family
- Retirement
- Finances
- Values
- Health
- Success
So, stay tuned to discover more about how Boomers and Gen X are reimagining what later life means.
Footnote references
Just Group Boomer and Gen X Segmentation Studies