The number of people in the UK aged over 70 who are still working has more than doubled in a decade. According to the available data from the Office for National Statistics, the numbers have reached a peak of 497,946 – that’s an increase of 135% since 2009.

A survey by investment company Fidelity International backs up this trend, with 45 per cent of the so-called “No Desire to Retire” generation saying they expect to keep working into their 70s and almost nine per cent into their 80s or beyond.

Increased life expectancy has also had an impact on working patterns, with a child born today expected to live more than a decade longer than one born in the 1950s.

Meanwhile, more companies throughout the UK are recognising the benefits of hiring older workers. Firstly, these employees will naturally have more knowledge and experience than younger staff. Typically, they also tend to be more reliable and loyal to the company.

Older professionals, having seen what’s worked for companies in the past and what hasn’t, are better positioned to make decisions that are beneficial for business. In essence, they possess the right skills, depth of knowledge and a positive attitude.

They’re also keen to put all these attributes to good use by taking on a wide variety of roles, including positions that once would have been linked only to younger candidates.

Because older workers may have fewer financial obligations and family commitments than younger colleagues, not only is their choice of jobs wider and more varied, but they have greater versatility when it comes to taking on duties, shift patterns and total hours worked each week.

One of the most flexible roles is that of the consultant, which allows a retiree to continue using their talents and expertise part-time for a company operating in their specialist field. Not only does this offer ample free time, but it also allows the consultant to continue doing a job they love – and often at an hourly rate that’s higher than their previous full-time figure.

Similarly, a love of teaching need not end, with retired teachers finding roles as tutors – not only with agencies and education bodies but also with corporations who have budgets to upskill their employees. Part-time tutors and trainers enable staff to meet the growing skills requirements of the modern world, including learning languages, computer science, software and much more.

Accountancy is another sector where retired professionals can count on rewarding part-time work in personal and corporate tax preparation, auditing and bookkeeping. While numeracy, an eye for detail and up-to-date knowledge of legislation are always important, so too is keeping up with the latest accounting software programs – both computer and cloud-based versions.

In the worlds of retail and customer service, life experience can be a massive asset for job applicants. Not only does it bring stronger communication skills but the ability to empathise and be a natural problem solver.

Roles such as sales advisors and customer service agents are also great for meeting people, or at least chatting to them every day, and this can be a great way to maintain contacts and enjoy interactions.

This is also true for those entering part-time roles in admin where the buzz, bustle and everyday camaraderie of the workplace can be the perfect foil to the quieter and more relaxing side of retirement.

Many companies actively seek out older admin personnel because of their ability to communicate well and take everything in their stride. After all, it can take years to become supremely organised and be able to adapt quickly, effectively and without panicking when targets and deadlines change.

Add into this mix a willingness and ability to be comfortable learning new technology – both of which debunks the myth that older people ‘don’t do tech’.

It wasn’t so long-ago retirees would be on the receiving end of health and social care. Now, however, there’s a growing understanding of the health and social benefits that come with working beyond retirement: staying active, socially connected and maintaining a feeling of fulfilment.

It’s one reason why so many retirees are actually employed in the health and care sector in roles as diverse as a care worker, catering assistant and counsellor. Not only do older people have an understanding of patients and an appreciation of their needs, but their life experience also helps them to be more approachable, empathetic and enabling.

And the job satisfaction is immense: what could be better than helping others in need?

Before applying for any of these top roles on x1jobs, rebranding is important for those re-entering recruitment. This means making sure a refreshed CV promotes experience, industry knowledge and technical know-how, as well as showing off undiminished enthusiasm.

For some positions, it’s also beneficial to brush up on existing skills and even have fun learning new skillsets, such as computer science and software.

When researching the best part-time roles on x1jobs, remember your experience has gifted you with some valuable transferable skills. Those who explore vacancies outside of their work background and the accepted boundaries can find work that’s also beyond their expectations.

Above all, part-time jobs provide stimulation and fresh challenges and, of course, offer welcome wages that boost the enjoyment of retirement.

If you’d like to discover new roles, x1jobs can help open up a world of opportunities beyond retirement.