THINK of retirement and a picture emerges of a grand send-off at the office, followed by travel, hobbies, grandchildren, and a pension and a Social Security check to pay for it all. But after awhile, the retirement fund may start to feel a little skimpy, or the golf course a little dull — or both — and the concept of returning to work becomes, well, more than a concept.

But there’s a catch. When older workers look for jobs, they may get as much respect as Rodney Dangerfield.