Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on NewRetirement.
Reaching retirement doesn’t have to mean that you’ll never work again. In fact, it might be a great opportunity to work on your own terms. Part-time work can help you improve your retirement income, keep you active, give you purpose and be fun all at the same time.
And, in case you haven’t heard, there is a massive worker shortage right now, so you might be able to command top dollar for your part-time retirement gig.
Do You Need the Income or Other Benefits?
While there are many reasons to work beyond money, you may want to know if you need supplemental retirement income.
The best way to find out? Creating and maintaining a comprehensive retirement plan. The NewRetirement Planner makes it easy to see the impact of part-time work on your lifetime financial outlook.
The Best Part-Time Jobs for Retirees
Here are 20 of the best ways for retirees to find part-time jobs — great ways to earn part-time income to help you with a more secure retirement and enrich your current life as well.
1. Do What You’ve Always Done, Just Less of It
Phasing out of your job — going part-time before retiring completely — may be the best of all possible part-time retirement jobs (assuming you like the work and the people).
2. Turn a Hobby or Skill Into a Teaching Opportunity
You’ve probably acquired a lot of skills and maybe mastered some hobbies that other people could benefit from. When you retire, you could turn that knowledge into a money-making business.
If you play piano, knit, crochet, sew, work with wood, bake, make beaded jewelry, or any number of other things, there are people who want to learn what you know.
You can hold classes or workshops, or take on individual clients, and help more people learn your art or craft.
3. Become a Tutor
Tutoring is another growing opportunity.
Do you enjoy kids and were you a pretty good student back in the day? Wyzant is a platform that connects tutors to kids who need help. From teenagers who need support with AP Statistics to grade school kids who just need to get through their homework, tutoring is a great way to make money and be among the young — keeping you young at heart!
Choose to offer in-person or online sessions.
4. Hit the Course
Golf is the cliche retirement pastime. However, the golf course or a driving range can be a great place to get a part-time retirement job. You might even get to play for free.
5. Focus on Passive Income
Passive income for retirement is an income source that you benefit from without too much effort — the money just flows in.
Here are 12-plus ideas for how to create passive income for retirement or any financial goal.
6. Offer Consulting or Freelance Work in Your Industry
After years working in an industry, you’re probably filled with valuable knowledge and lots of experience to go with it. But just because you retire, that doesn’t mean you have to stop working in your industry altogether.
As a new retiree, your combination of talent and fundamental understanding of the job can help teach new people entering the industry. Start a consulting business, and you could still work doing what you love, but with part-time hours. And if there’s work that could be done from home, don’t discount the possibility of freelancing.
7. Garden
Nearly everyone loves the idea of a vegetable garden or beautiful landscaping. But not everyone has the time to give it the attention that it needs. If you have a knack for horticulture, your skills are worth money.
You don’t have to push around a lawnmower or weed trimmer, not if you don’t want to. You can offer specific services, such as shaping rose bushes and deadheading flowers or tending and harvesting vegetables from a backyard garden. You can convert this into a teaching opportunity, too.
8. Bartend
Do you love the nightlife? Bartending might be the gig for you.
Bartending school doesn’t last long, and it can help you earn quick cash in few hours. Reputable schools take about 40 credit hours to complete. Some states don’t even require licensure, so if you already know your way around cocktails you could pick up extra work tending bar.
Bartending can be tough work standing on your feet, and it usually calls for nighttime hours. But, it’s often a lively environment where you’ll meet lots of people, and the tips for a weekend night could be worth it.
9. Sit or Walk Pets
As pet owners become more attuned to the needs of their furry family members, more of them are less inclined to leave them alone all day. Kenneling pets is expensive, and it’s not always fun or healthy for the animals. Pet sitting is a great alternative for keeping pets in a happy environment when the owners are away at work or on vacation.
If you don’t want to commit to sitting, dog walking is another part-time possibility. Fifi might be able to wait until Mom and Dad come home, but getting a midday walk means there’s less stress on the pet and more money in your pocket.
One of the best things about part-time work is that you have more control. You aren’t committed to the typical 9-to-5, and you don’t even have to work in an office. There are lots of ways to convert something you love into something that pays you back.
10. Mind the Shop
Retail jobs are relatively abundant, especially at holiday times. If you are a social person and enjoy customer service, retail can be a wonderful way to spend some time — especially if you find a job selling products that you love.
- Are you a fashionista? Try a department store or boutique.
- A bibliophile? Inquire at bookstores.
- Love cars? Look at auto parts stores.
- A sports fan? Check out the local ballpark.
- An artist? Find a crafts store or gallery.
11. Substitute Teach
Did you know that there is a teacher shortage in the United States? And, finding a substitute is almost impossible in many school districts — especially a particularly good one.
Substitute teaching is not the easiest job, but it is highly flexible and can be incredibly rewarding – especially when you become a regular at certain schools.
Licensing requirements vary widely by state and are often waived due to high demand for subs. You can learn more at the National Education Association website.
12. Tend to the Books
If you have a financial background, you might want to look at bookkeeping or tax preparation. Small businesses often have a real need for someone to manage their financial record-keeping.
Tax Day is coming up in April. And, January, February and March can sometimes be miserably cold months that could allow you to spend time snuggled up preparing taxes.
H&R Block (and others) offer efficient tax preparation courses.
13. Take a Drive
If you own a car and are a good driver, you might consider becoming a driver. New ride-share services like Uber make it easy to start making money by using your own vehicle as a taxi service.
You could also look at opportunities with local bus companies and traditional taxi and limousine services.
14. Care for the Elderly
You might be retired, but you are probably still pretty youthful and healthy.
Jobs taking care of the elderly — especially as home health aides — are plentiful.
While the work can sometimes be emotionally taxing, it can also be incredibly rewarding to help someone in so much need. You can also learn a lot by enjoying the company of these people.
15. Try Seasonal Work
When you hear “part-time,” you probably think of working 20 hours a week or less. However, what about working full time for three months of the year?
Popular part-time/seasonal retirement jobs include: working at summer camps or ski resorts, retail during the holidays, participating in harvest activities in the fall, hosting at a campground and more.
16. Coach a Team
Are you a natural leader and like sports? Are you looking to make an impact on people’s lives? Coaches can be some of the most helpful people in an athlete’s life.
17. Go to a Play, Sports Event, Symphony, Festival
Working as event staff at your local arena or concert hall is a great way to have fun making a few extra dollars.
18. Cruise
Travel is the No. 1 goal for most retirees, and cruises are popular.
Have you considered getting a job on one of those ships? It can be hard work but, depending on the job, fun as well. Many cruise lines employ people to lecture on subjects, take photographs, teach dance classes, work in gift shops, and more.
19. Pitch a Tent (or RV)
Folks known as workampers typically live in an RV while working at campgrounds, amusement parks, and other fun locations. Check out Workamper.com for current opportunities.
20. Start Your Own Business
Owning and operating a business can be all-encompassing, but with the right experience and discipline, you can limit your hours. And, older entrepreneurs are proven to be the successful ones.
Here are 12 ideas for starting a business after 50.
Resources for Finding Part-Time Employment in Retirement
Whether you are going to work for yourself or someone else, here are some organizations that may help you find a job or the resources you need for work: