Are you considering returning to work after retirement? Whether you’re looking to make some extra income, or you just want to make a difference in your community — your experience and skills are needed. There is a job for you out there! But first, here are a few questions to ask yourself before you decide where to work in retirement:
- What’s motivating you to return to work? Money? Boredom? Social connections?
- How much money are you looking to earn?
- What kind of work fulfills you?
- Are you interested in learning a new skill or trying a new industry?
- How much flexibility do you need?
- What’s your ideal schedule and how much time to you want to spend working?
- Would you consider working for yourself?
Your answers to these questions will help you determine what job will be the best fit for you. Now, let’s explore some options!
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Best Jobs for Seniors and Retirees
Here are a few broad examples of the best jobs for seniors and retirees.
Self-Employment
Have you always wanted to own your own business? Now is the perfect opportunity. Almost any skill can be turned into a small business, and your long career has likely prepared you with the knowledge to be successful. Self-employment also offers the flexibility and independence that you enjoy in retirement. Be aware that a business takes a lot of work, and could be more time consuming than you’d expected, depending on the business you choose. Consider how you ideally want to live your days in retirement and weigh the difference between self-employment and a work-from-home job.
Schools
Whether you work on a volunteer, part-time, or full-time basis, schools are in need of your help. Retirees and senior citizens are needed in schools to fill roles such as tutors, teacher aids, cafeteria staff, bus drivers, and more. Your experience, patience, reliability, and passion make you a valuable asset to schools that are short on funds and staff.
Work from Home
Working from home is an appealing way to make an income in your retirement years. You get to work from the comfort of wherever you choose, and you don’t have to commute, dress in business attire, or pack a lunch every day. There are also plenty of work from home options, whether you want to work for yourself or for a company that hires remote workers. When looking for a work from home job, watch out for scams that offer virtual work but are vague about the pay structure or job duties. Also, consider the level of self-motivation needed to remain focused when you’re working independently.
Entering a New Career
You might find that the field you want to work in requires a skill set you don’t yet have. That’s okay! Plenty of people return to school in their 50s, or even in retirement, because learning keeps them mentally and socially active. There are also online training courses for almost any industry you want to work in. Don’t be intimidated by trying something new, the internet provides plenty of opportunities and resources to learn new skills at any age.
Best Part-Time Jobs for Seniors and Retirees
Almost any job you choose to do in retirement can be done on a part-time basis, if that’s what you’d prefer. But there are a lot of jobs, like seasonal work or working for a nonprofit, that are perfect part-time jobs for seniors and retirees. Here are some of your best options to consider.
Seasonal Work
Seasonal work, such as working retail during the holidays or maybe working as a campground host in the summer can be a great option for seniors and retirees. Seasonal work offers flexibility for the rest of the year by working only a few short months, providing you the opportunity to move to warmer or cooler climates depending on the time of year. Seasonal work is also a great way to control your retirement savings if something comes up like an expensive medical emergency.
Volunteer Work
If you’re just looking to make a difference in your community, or needing some social interaction, volunteer work, charity work, or helping out a nonprofit are incredibly rewarding options for work in retirement. Generally, these positions are unpaid, but the satisfaction you’ll feel from your contributions to a good cause will be priceless. Take a look at some of the volunteer resources specifically looking for seniors and retirees in your area.
Blogging
Do you love to write or have you always wanted to give it a try? Now is the perfect time and anyone can do it. Your career has likely given you a plethora of knowledge that you could use to start a blog or position you as a guest blogger for numerous publications. Most bloggers make very little income, with a few exceptions. And running your own blog might take some time to learn new skills and then the dedication to keep it updated. But if you’ve always felt you have special insight that could add to a conversation you’re passionate about — by all means share it with the world.
Coaching
If you have a passion for staying physically active or maybe you’re an expert on one particular sport, consider embarking on a new career in coaching, training, or becoming an umpire, scorekeeper, or referee. These jobs won’t pay much but they are a whole lot of fun and can provide some extra cash for more fun in your free time. You’ll want to be aware of the potential stress of the game and physical expectations of the job, i.e. standing for long periods of time. But this could also be a great opportunity to get involved with your grandkids’ lives by getting involved with their school team.
Teaching
If you’ve got the heart of a teacher and years of professional experience under your belt, this could be the best job for you. Most teaching and teachers aid positions are full-time, but if you’re not looking for full-time work consider tutoring or teaching classes like yoga, pilates, aerobics, dance, or music. Teaching is a flexible profession that you can create to fit your preferences. Choose to teach one persona a skill for a few hours a week or commit to a full class multiple days a week, the possibilities are endless!
Consulting
Many retirees continue to work in retirement on a consulting basis either with their previous employer or new clients. Consultants have a lot of flexibility and are usually paid well for their time. If you have a degree and years of experience in your previous profession, consider easing into retirement by consulting on a part-time basis. It’s a great way to continue to build your retirement savings or provide supplemental income.
The best job after retirement is going to be the one that makes you happiest. Consider the pros and cons of working in retirement before jumping into something new and ask yourself what you’re looking to get out of your new position. Your possibilities are endless whether you want to remain in the same industry, learn something new, or finally start your dream business.
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