Should you delete your LinkedIn account when you retire?

Many professionals rely on LinkedIn to build their personal brand, network, and find job opportunities during their careers. However, once retirement approaches, some people may wonder if they still need their LinkedIn profiles or if they should delete their accounts altogether. There are pros and cons to keeping or deleting a LinkedIn profile in retirement that are worth considering.

Pros of Deleting LinkedIn in Retirement

Here are some potential benefits of deleting your LinkedIn account when you retire:

Avoid unsolicited messages and noise

Once retired, you may get random messages from recruiters or salespeople via LinkedIn that you’d rather avoid. Deleting your account can prevent this unwanted communication.

Maintain a clear break from your career

For some retirees, removing their LinkedIn presence can help signify that they are fully retired and not looking for work opportunities anymore. This sends a clear message to their network.

More privacy and less personal info available online

LinkedIn profiles contain a wealth of professional information on users. Retirees may prefer to have less of their info and history available publicly online. Deleting the account can enable this privacy.

Reduce social media overload and distractions

Between Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and more, social media can be time consuming and distracting. Leaving LinkedIn can help refocus time in retirement.

Prevent identity theft risks

The extensive personal and employment details on LinkedIn could aid identity thieves. Removing your profile eliminates this potential risk.

Cons of Deleting LinkedIn in Retirement

However, there are also some downsides to consider before deleting your LinkedIn account in retirement:

Lose access to your professional network

Your LinkedIn network are colleagues you’ve connected with over your career. Deleting your account means losing simple access to this network. Reconnecting later may be difficult.

Miss out on passive job opportunities

Even in retirement, lucrative consulting or part-time work offers may arise. Having a LinkedIn profile allows these opportunities to come to you more easily.

Less access to knowledge and resources

Beyond the network, LinkedIn provides ample information and resources through news feeds, posts, and articles. This can have value even in retirement.

Disappear from the professional world entirely

For prominent professionals in their industry, having no online professional presence may be seen negatively.

Lack of backup if plans change

Plans can always change in retirement or finances may dictate unretiring. Deleting your LinkedIn permanently removes your profile backup.

Questions to Ask Yourself

If debating removing your LinkedIn in retirement, here are some questions to ask yourself:

Do you want to maintain professional connections?

Your LinkedIn network has value. Do you see yourself wanting to stay in touch with former colleagues in retirement?

Might you do consulting or part-time work?

Can you entirely rule out doing any paid professional work in retirement where LinkedIn would help?

Do you care about your professional reputation?

For well-known professionals, having no online presence may be concerning. Is maintaining your profile important?

Do you find value in the content or news?

Do you regularly read content or follow topics that bring you value on LinkedIn? This can be one perk.

Could you simply adjust your notifications instead?

Instead of an all-or-nothing approach, you may be able to simply limit notifications and engagement. This reduces noise while maintaining a profile.

Do you have other sufficient professional records?

Have you diligently maintained your resume, online portfolios, websites etc? If so, your professional activity may already be sufficiently documented outside of LinkedIn.

How concerned are you about risks like identity theft?

Assess how comfortable you are with all your info being public. If very concerned, deleting may be wise.

How to Delete Your LinkedIn Account

If after weighing the pros and cons you decide to delete your LinkedIn account in retirement, here is how to do it:

Step 1 – Download an archive of your account data

Before deleting your account, go to your account settings and use the “Download your data” option to download a zip file containing your connections, posts, and other account details. This serves as a backup.

Step 2 – Disconnect any linked accounts

In your account settings, unlink any connected Twitter or Facebook accounts from your LinkedIn profile. This ensures nothing is posted when it’s deleted.

Step 3 – Remove your email and phone number

Go to your LinkedIn profile and remove your email address and phone number. This helps prevent spam to those contacts after closing the account.

Step 4 – Delete your account

On desktop: Go to your account settings and select “Close your account” at the bottom. You will be asked if you want to simply “Disable” or fully “Close” your account. Choose “Close.”

On mobile: Go to your profile, tap the “Me” icon, tap “Settings and Privacy,” then “Account preferences.” Scroll down and select “Close your account.”

Step 5 – Confirm account closure

Carefully read any warnings or disclaimers about closing your account. Type your password when prompted to confirm you want to close your account permanently.

Conclusion

Deciding whether to remove your LinkedIn profile in retirement requires weighing factors like networking, job opportunities, online presence, privacy, and convenience. Some choose to simply limit notifications instead of fully deleting. If you do opt to close your account, be sure to first download a backup and unlink any connected accounts. With the right pros and cons list and preparations, you can make the best choice for your situation.