Some retirees end up reentering the job market because of financial struggles. Others do so simply because they grow restless, unfulfilled by playing endless rounds of golf or binge-watching TV shows.

In the latter case, those retirees have discovered that life without purpose and meaning isn’t much of a life at all, says Mark Goldsmith (marklgoldsmith.com), founder and CEO emeritus of Getting Out and Staying Out (GOSO), a nonprofit that provides educational, vocational, job readiness, counseling, and other services to young men who have been incarcerated.

Retired or not, older people have plenty to offer, and returning to work isn’t the only option, he says. Many have a remarkable variety of skills that could greatly impact the nonprofit world. Combining hard-earned skills with a passion to help cure a social ill can make a huge difference in the lives of people in need.

Many people give little thought to what they might do once their time at a workplace comes to an end,” Goldsmith says. “At best they have vague plans.”

Be open to possibilities An opportunity to find direction in retirement could come from an unexpected source. Goldsmith, volunteered for the Principal for a Day program in New York public schools to talk to students about their future. He volunteered at Rikers Island and was inspired by his time with the inmates, leading to his efforts to help incarcerated young men become productive citizens rather than repeat offenders.

Take an inventory of your skills and experiences What are you good at? What personality traits make you appealing to others? Why do people listen to you? Determine what makes you feel good about accomplishing difficult tasks. How you like to spend your time is important. When you volunteer, make sure you’re doing it for a cause you love.

Be prepared to get more than you give Not necessarily material rewards, but the feeling that comes from making a difference in someone’s life.