KPMG Architect, 68, Cuts to 20 Hours a Week in Soft Retirement

2 articles · Updated · Business Insider · Aug 19

Tina Bonanno, 68, shifted to a three-day schedule at KPMG in January 2025 after illness left her with brain fog and unable to sustain 50- to 60-hour weeks across as many as 10 projects.
Five months of disability leave in 2022 and 2023, tied to an infection and knee-replacement revision, pushed her toward full retirement, but a financial review showed she was not comfortable relying on Social Security and savings alone.
KPMG agreed to keep her at about 20 hours a week with half salary, half PTO and retained benefits after Bonanno pitched the arrangement as a business-continuity plan built around her subject-matter expertise and legacy knowledge.
The reduced schedule — Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays — has largely been respected by clients and colleagues, while the extra time has gone to moving house, gardening, woodworking and starting a book.
Bonanno said the half-in, half-out setup has lowered her anxiety and given her a workable bridge between full-time employment and retirement.