Should retired officers, who are not in uniform, return a salute?

Excellent response.

“Should” is the wrong term. You “may” return the salute out of courtesy to those who rendered the salute to you. Your choice, but it certainly would be polite.

Yes!

Although it is not required, I return a salute, in recognition of the soldier's salute.

I never return the salute, but I thank the guard. Just respecting you.

There is a very old retired COL who walks in my neighborhood (wearing PT gear). He always salutes me when I am driving. I figured it was because of my Warrant crest front plate, but then found out he outranked me. It's a kind of cool exchange between strangers in service. Saluting at the gate does kind of feel funny since I am such a civilian now, but it doesn't take much effort to return one. I did retire O grade, but do feel like that is MY rank, for life.

They don't need to, but it's a nice sign of respect (both ways).

Not necessary to

May not be required, but it shows a sign of respect to you and your previous rank. Semper Fi

I don’t have a problem saluting retired Officers. What burns my ass is rendering a courtesy, just to have nothing returned as if it’s an inconvenience.

Since I’m here - does anyone know the whereabouts of COL Pat Work? He was my mentor when I was active, but he seemed to have fallen off social media.