If you’re like many people, the prospects of retirement could seem enviable: more time with family, travel, leisurely days by the lake. The realities of retirement, though, might not be as appealing. Following are 10 reasons you might want or need to unretire:

1. Extra income: It can come in handy! Today’s boomers and seniors are at greater risk than ever for being short of cash in retirement for several reasons including the recession of 2008. In a survey conducted by Home Instead Inc.,  income was selected by the most respondents as a top motivation for returning to work, and 33%t said the best part of returning to work was making money.
2. A remedy for boredom: Fighting boredom was another reason (at 43%) that older adults returned to work, according to Home Instead research. Some people don’t anticipate the isolation that can result when they leave the workforce or the absence of the type of work that gave their lives meaning and purpose.
3. You’re boosting Social Security and the economy: Over the next 10 years, workers 55 and older are expected to become an even larger portion of the U.S. workforce, rising from 23.1% in 2017 to 23.7% in 2027, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Theoretically, people who are working longer will continue paying into Social Security, delaying benefit payments.
4. An antidote for brain drain: Research boosts the “use it or lose it” theory about brainpower and staying mentally sharp. People who delay retirement have less risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia, a study of nearly a half a million people in France found. For each additional year of work, the risk of getting dementia is reduced by 3.2%.
5. Increased energy: Work, especially a job you enjoy, could be invigorating and give you a reason to jump out of bed in the morning and renew your outlook on life.
6. Mentoring give and take: It can be fulfilling to pass along advice to co-workers from years of experience in the workforce. However, you’ll learn plenty from other generations as well.
7. A longer life: Research has shown that working longer correlates to longevity.  The researchers found that healthy adults who retired one year past age 65 had an 11% lower risk of death from all causes, even when taking into account demographic, lifestyle and health issues. Adults who described themselves as unhealthy were also likely to live longer if they kept working, the findings showed.
8. Better health: Without the structure of a job, healthy habits could slide. More employers than ever have wellness programs, health incentives and benefits. Absent that support, it could be more difficult to keep weight down and activity levels up. 
9. Emotional support: Aging can bring loss as friends and family members pass away or move. Your parents may be gone as well as your spouse. The support of a work family and co-workers can mean a lot when you’re facing loss. For some, the distractions of a job can help ease the pain of losing someone you love as well.
10. Social connections: Many people will tell you they count their closest friends among individuals they have met on the job. From workplace outings to after-hours get-togethers, the social connections you make at work could last well into your retirement years. And staying connected is important to healthy aging.