Jane Woodcock, a 68-year-old Ontario senior, thought retirement would be her time to relax—until life had other plans. After her husband passed away in 2018, she struggled to make ends meet, especially when the pandemic hit. Now, she’s had to unretire and return to work just to cover basic living expenses and care for her five pets. Her story highlights a harsh reality: even careful planning isn’t always enough when costs keep rising.

Editor’s Note: Jane’s situation isn’t unique—it’s a snapshot of how inflation and financial strain are forcing many retirees back into the workforce. This isn’t just about budgets; it’s about dignity, stability, and the quiet crisis of older adults who thought they’d done everything right. Stories like this remind us that economic pressures don’t discriminate by age, and they’re reshaping what "retirement" even means.