Retirement Isn’t The End
As many retirees can attest, just because you’ve hung up your hat, it doesn’t mean your working life is over. Many retirees have returned to the workforce—albeit in a different capacity—in order to supplement their income or to keep busy.
But it’s not as simple as picking the first job listing you come across. If you’re looking to make your search a lot more effective, check out these jobs that are not only hiring retirees, but also paying well for their experience and wisdom.
Real Estate Agent
Retirement opens up opportunities for education and training that may have been constrained by time before—and if you’re looking for a certification that results in a lucrative position, consider taking the steps to become a real estate agent. Certification can be completed within a year, unlocking opportunities for handsome commissions.
Consultant Or Freelancer
Many professionals who reached the top level in their field will tell you that transitioning to a freelance or consulting position not only led to better pay, but also to more flexibility. If you worked in one or two fields for most of your career, all you need is to flex your networking and organizational skills in order to shift into consulting and make it a lucrative post-retirement option.
Property Manager
Many landlords or vacation property owners are in need of property managers to keep their day-to-day needs met. You may end up showing properties, collecting payment, and working with maintenance professionals to keep things in shape. The hours are flexible and reliability is an asset.
Tour Guide
If you’re the type of retiree who dreams of taking off to your favorite destination for a few—or more—months a year, this is a great option with a low barrier to entry. You can opt to apply at museums, historical societies, or tourism boards, or you can set yourself up on a service like Airbnb Experiences and make your own tour, highlighting local favorites.
Remote Customer Service Specialist
If you’re a retiree looking to fill your time without a commute or any pressure to answer the phone or an email outside of work hours, this is the position for you. There are many companies out there looking for representatives to liaise with customers over chat, email, or telephone, and many offer the flexibility that appeals to retirees.
Handyperson
If you worked blue collar or with your hands during your career—or, if you were always the one to fix things up around the house in your spare time—you might find a position as a handyperson a fulfilling one. Plenty of people need help with home projects that don’t require certification, especially in older neighborhoods.
Pet Sitter/Dog Walker
If you’ve always been a dog person, why not turn that into an option to make a little extra cash? With sites like Rover, you can offer your services as a pet sitter or dog walker, and as you build your reputation, you may even find opportunities to pet sit in places you’d also want to vacation—who doesn’t love a free place to stay?
Alternatively, if you’ve trained your own dogs, you may offer your services in that realm to dog owners who don’t have the time or expertise to do it themselves.
Bookkeeper
Another option with a low barrier to entry and a lot of flexibility, this option is great for retirees who’ve always had a knack with numbers. Smaller businesses often need help with their books on a part-time basis, or you can choose to work intensely for a few months a year as a tax preparer.
Fitness Instructor
If you’re already active and a fan of group classes, this can be a great option. Certification programs can be completed relatively quickly, and you don’t necessarily need to be a body-building superstar to be a great yoga or Pilates instructor. It’s a balance between people skills, time management, and knowledge in your chosen field, which is acquired during the training process.
Event Staff
These positions are often seasonal, meaning that if you’re looking to spend the winter in a sunnier climate, you can find work with weddings and events throughout the spring, summer, and autumn. Alternatively, event venues like concert halls or theaters are often looking for ushers, ticket-takers, and similar positions.
Substitute Teacher
No matter which way the wind blows in the world of employment, there are pretty much always school boards or private institutions looking for reliable substitute teachers. Considering the flexibility of hours offered, the compensation is competitive.
Movie/TV Extra
While this option is limited to retirees in cities that are popular filming locations, this can be a lucrative and fun way to spend a few hours with very little effort or expertise needed.
Virtual Assistant
This is another great remote option for retirees looking for flexibility. Virtual assistants take care of a variety of tasks, including email management, phone tasks, and scheduling. All you need is patience and strong organizational skills.
Writing And Editing
While these professions have been devalued in recent years, there are still many lucrative freelance writing or editing positions out there, especially for those with keen time management skills who can offer a quick turnaround.
Delivery Driver
Though on-demand services may have a reputation for low pay and rough conditions, drivers who aren’t relying on them as their primary source of income have a few more options to protect themselves, their cars, and their sanity. You can set your own hours at optimal times and, if you’re flexible, work around peak-hour bonuses to rake in extra cash.
Tutor
While many tutors are stereotypically students themselves, retirees also have a lot to offer in this field. Their patience is an asset, and the students they’re tutoring may be more likely to respect their authority. While the flexibility in hours is an obvious benefit, there’s also the possibility to offer your services remotely.
Caregiver And/Or Companion
If you previously worked in the medical field or in a public-facing position, this role offers a relatively low-stress working experience. Elderly and/or infirm patients may appreciate working with someone close to them in age, and as the population continues to age, these positions will be in high demand—which means compensation will be competitive.
Retail Sales Associate
This option has been popular with retirees for years—and for good reason. Part-time positions offer flexibility, and working on your feet and dealing with customers can be attractive to retirees who want to keep both their bodies and minds active.
