https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/google-co-founder-sergey-brins-unretirement-is-a-lesson-for-the-rest-of-us/91280208 [] NewslettersSUBSCRIBE TOP STORIESTOP VIDEOS 2026 Inc. 5000 Inc.'s annual list recognizing America's fastest-growing private companies! Early-Rate Deadline: January 30 ($395) Apply Now Technology Sergey Brin Has Some Advice for Students in the Age of AI Lead This Type of Exercise Is Linked to Better Brain Health, Study Finds Lead How to Keep AI Burnout From Driving Away Top Applicants Lead The Founder of a $3 Billion Startup Says Most Entrepreneurs Fail to Delegate--but It Can Be a Superpower Inc. PremiumFounder Focus How These Founders Creatively Balance Profit Margins and Fast Growth NewslettersSUBSCRIBE Lead Google Co-Founder Sergey Brin's Unretirement Is a Lesson for the Rest of Us The tech founder's return to full-time work is a reminder that even billions can't guarantee a happy retirement if you don't also do this. EXPERT OPINION BY JESSICA STILLMAN, CONTRIBUTOR, INC.COM @ENTRYLEVELREBEL Dec 30, 2025 SHARE LinkedInFacebookXBlueskyLink ADD ON GOOGLE [Sergey-brin-unretirement-inc] Sergey Brin. Photos: Getty Images Listen to this ArticleMore info 0:00 / 0:00 When Sergey Brin spoke at Stanford University's school of engineering centennial celebration recently, the Google co-founder was open about his career mistakes. "When you have your cool new wearable device idea, really fully bake it before you have a cool stunt involving skydiving and airships," he joked, referring to the infamous Google Glass flop. But one misstep he admitted to might surprise a lot of people who dream of the day they can quit their 9-to-5. "I actually retired like a month before Covid hit, and it was the worst decision," Brin said. He was such a failure at retirement that he has since returned to everyday work at Google, spearheading its efforts to catch up in the AI race. Going back to work just for fun might sound like a uniquely billionaire move. But a stack of research suggests that Brin's dissatisfaction in retirement and subsequent decision to return to work isn't that uncommon. His story contains an essential but often overlooked lesson that can help anyone better plan their retirement. Featured Video An Inc.com Featured Presentation Why Sergey Brin unretired Like many people, Brin had a relaxing vision for his post-working life. "I was gonna sit in cafes and study physics, which was my passion at the time," he told the Stanford audience. Fate intervened in the form of Covid. But Brin wasn't dissatisfied with his retirement just because he was locked in his house all day. "I was just kind of stewing and felt myself spiraling, not being sharp," he recalled. After the Google offices partially reopened, he started going in occasionally. Eventually, he "started spending more and more time on what later became called Gemini, which is super-exciting. To be able to have that technical creative outlet, I think that's very rewarding, as opposed to if I'd stayed retired. I think that would've been a big mistake," he added. Expand to continue reading | 1. Startup 1. Best Industries 2. Funding 3. Incubators 4. Business Plans 5. Naming 6. Home-based Business 7. The UPS Store 2. Grow 1. Strategy 2. Operations 3. Sales 4. Marketing 5. Customer service 6. Franchises 3. Lead 1. Black in business 2. Your next move 3. Female founders 4. Best workplaces 5. Company culture 6. Public speaking 7. Hiring 8. Hr/benefits 9. Productivity 10. All the hats 4. Technology 1. Digital transformation 2. Artificial intelligence 3. Bringing innovation to market 4. Cloud computing 5. Social media 6. Security 7. Data detectives 5. 1. Inc. Premium 2. Subscribe 3. Current cover of Inc Magazine 6. Innovate 1. Creativity 2. Invent 3. Design 4. Pivot 7. Money 1. Exit interview 2. Bootstrapping 3. Crowdfunding 4. Venture capital 5. Borrowing 6. Business models 7. Personal finance 8. Founder-friendly investors 8. Built to Scale 9. Events 1. Upcoming events 2. Inc. 5000 vision conference 10. Custom Studio 1. Capital One Business 2. Insperity 3. Principal 4. Salesforce 5. SAP 6. The UPS Store 11. Inc. 5000 1. Inc. 5000 2. Regionals 3. Apply inc. 5000 us 12. Inc. Premium 1. Watch 2. Newsletters 1. Inc. Premium 2. Subscribe 3. Current cover of Inc Magazine 1. About 2. Staff 3. Columnists 4. Help Center Follow: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. * Startup + Best Industries + Funding + Incubators + Business Plans + Naming + Home-based Business + The UPS Store * Grow + Strategy + Operations + Sales + Marketing + Customer Service + Franchises * Lead + Black in Business + Your Next Move + Female Founders + Best Workplaces + Public Speaking + Productivity + All the Hats * Technology + Digital Transformation + Artificial Intelligence + Bringing Innovation to Market + Cloud Computing + Social Media + Security + Data Detectives * Innovate + Creativity + Invent + Design + Pivot * Money + Exit Interview + Bootstrapping + Crowdfunding + Venture Capital + Business Models + Personal Finance + Founder-Friendly Investors * Events + Upcoming Events + Inc. 5000 Conference & Gala * Workplace + Company Culture + Hiring + HR/Benefits + Inc. 5000 o Inc. 5000 o Regionals o Apply Inc. 5000 US + Inc. Premium o Subscribe * * * * * * * Fast Company & Inc (c) 2026 Mansueto Ventures, LLC DAA Icon Terms of UseAdvertiseHelp CenterSiteMapPrivacy PolicyNotice of CollectionDo Not Sell My DataAd Vendor PolicyAbout UsSubscribe Newsguard Icon 100 Shields Icon Inc.com adheres to NewsGuard's nine standards of credibility and transparency.