If you’re a retiree looking to boost your monthly income you are not alone in your quest, 72% of adults age 50 and older say they want or need to keep working after they retire, and nearly half of current retirees say they either have worked or plan to work during retirement, according to a survey of more than 7,000 adults by Merrill Lynch Bank of America. While just 32% of people 55 and up were working in 2000, 40% were in 2014, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A part-time job could give you the best of both worlds: fulfilling your needs while leaving plenty of spare time for friends, family, hobbies, travel or whatever else you like.
What are your options? Are there good jobs after retirement? The good news is that jobs for seniors are numerous and seem to be growing.
#10 Online Customer Service
If you have a computer with decent Internet, there are unlimited work-at-home opportunities depending on your experience and interest. For example, If you are great at customer service, Flexjobs.com lists several part-time telecommuting positions suitable for retirees. Beware of scams. Work-at-home scams that offer big paydays without much effort are rampant on the Internet.
#9 Freelance Copywriter
You can virtually do this job from anywhere in the world. Many potential clients are looking for writers who can create content on a range of topics. A strong familiarity with Online Marketing and excellent English writing skills are a must. Sites like upwork.com and freelancer.com offer daily listing where you can apply and promote services.
#8 Selling online
You may be surprised how much what is considered “vintage” these days is worth. At sites like ebay.com, craigslist.org and etsy.com, you can sell almost anything. From your own stuff to random items you can at garage sells, flea markets or online and resell them for a profit.
#7 Assisted Living Care
Continuing care facilities employ people with a wide variety of skills and talents and there are plenty of part-time options. All the major job boards have listings for jobs at retirement communities (try filtering your search using terms like “retirement communities” or “assisted living facilities”). You can also look on a niche job board such as Seniorhousingjobs.com.
#6 Tutoring
SAT tutors can charge as much as $200 or more per hour in some areas. And it’s not just high school juniors and seniors who are willing to pay for help; some students from elementary school on up need assistance ranging from reading readiness to writing college essays. Rates for tutors vary significantly, starting at $15 an hour for online tutors up to $200 an hour or more for college-prep tutors in certain towns. Although having a background in teaching isn’t essential, it’s certainly a plus. People with strong math and science skills are in especially high demand.
#5 Translation Services
Interpreters often work from home so this can be a portable and flexible way to earn extra retirement income. Translators typically start out earning about $20 an hour, but income potential varies widely depending on your expertise and specialty.
While the market is strongest for English and Spanish-speaking translators, there’s also a demand for people who can translate other languages including Chinese and Arabic.
#4 Old job, only less
Many employers are now open to keep you on board but for fewer hours. Keep your former employer as a client and work part-time. This can also be a great opportunity to find new clients and start a small venture.
#3 Government Jobs
Age discrimination is less likely in government jobs. Government agencies have seasonal and part-time work. Visit usajobs.gov to start. You may also find appropriate work in the state, County and City Governments.
#2 Uber driver
There is a growing number of seniors driving for Uber and Lyft, to supplement their retirement income. In fact, twenty-three percent of people who drive an Uber are 50 or older and two-thirds of drivers have never made money driving before Uber, according to a 2015 company survey. Pay can vary widely depending on the hours worked and location. Uber conducted a study last year that found the average driver made $17 per hour, but it used rates from 2014 that were typically higher than what Uber pays now.
#1 Start a Business in Retirement
This could be your opportunity do something that you’ve really wanted to do for a long time. Today’s retirees have an appetite for entrepreneurship, which allows them to pursue interests and offers flexibility. The desire to work on their own terms, and perhaps use that work to make a difference in the world, has led to an explosion of entrepreneurship among older Americans. People age 55 to 64 accounted for 25.8 percent of the businesses started in the last year. Start by evaluating your skills to define whether you have all the skills to complete the tasks necessary to make your business a success? Do you love cooking, perhaps you can start an online bakery and become the next cupcake star?
