15 Great Jobs for Retirees
Millennials aren’t the only ones benefiting from the gig economy. If you’ve built up years of expertise in an area that you can provide to companies on a project basis, you can set your own hours and pick and choose which projects you like best.
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Retired workers often have the flexibility required for seasonal jobs that offer a paycheck for just a few months out of the year. Such gigs are perfect for those who’d like to spend the off-season traveling or enjoying other leisure pursuits.
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Whether you volunteer or work part-time for a nonprofit, retired corporate warriors may enjoy the rewards of bringing their talents to a nonprofit. This path has become so popular that organizations like Encore have popped up to help facilitate the transition.
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Budget pressures have colleges scaling back their tenure-track positions, which means they’re increasingly relying on adjunct employees, especially those who bring a wealth of real-world experience. They pay’s not great, but the hours are minimal and you’re guaranteed to get holidays off.
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You’ll have to take a licensing exam to qualify, but realtors are able to set their own hours and work as much or as little as they like. This is a particularly good role for folks who’ve lived in their community for a long time and enjoy extolling its virtues.
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If you never got to exercise your entrepreneurial spirit in your first act, and you’ve got the cash and time to commit to building a business, buying a franchise is a great way to get started. Becoming a franchisee isn’t without risks, however, so work with a franchise consultant and your financial advisor to evaluate any potential deals.
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As the health care system gets more complex, it’s become even harder for some consumers to navigate the complexities of insurance claims on their own. Patient advocates who have the time and patience to write letters, wait on hold and document promises can help. The job is a great gig for retirees looking for flexible, meaningful work that they can often do from home.
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The rise of Airbnb has made it possible for anyone to earn money by renting out a spare room or vacation home when they’re not using it. Excelling as an Airbnb host, however, may require a bigger time commitment than those with full-time work can give. That makes it perfect for retirees.
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There’s growing demand for people who can assist with seniors. While some roles require medical training, others are focused on assistance with day-to-day tasks like shopping and bill paying, or simply providing companionship. More than a quarter of caregivers interested in senior care jobs are over age 50, according to Care.com.
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If you’ve been looking forward to retirement as an opportunity to focus on a crafty hobby like knitting or needlepointing, you may be able to turn that hobby into a part-time job. Consider setting up a shop on Etsy or speaking with local merchants to see if they’d carry your collection in their shop.
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Retail jobs are a good option for some retirees, since there are often flexible hours and lots of openings, and they often require little experience. Bonus: If you work at a shop you frequent, you may be able to score discounts on merchandise.
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Like many of the other jobs on this list, being an Uber driver offers the flexibility that many retirees enjoy, such as the ability to make your own schedule. For older workers, driving with Uber is also often a welcome change after years spent in an office or on the factory floor. A quarter of Uber drivers are over age 50.
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Entrepreneurs and lean companies are moving toward outsourcing the jobs of administrative assistants, who handle tasks such as calendar management, booking travel and expense reports. Retirees who have worked in an office are ideal candidates for the position, which can be done from home.
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Enrollment in many of today’s schools have gotten so large that it’s difficult for teachers to manage classes of 30 or more children on their own. Some schools are turning to teacher’s assistants, who typically don’t need a teaching degree, to help out in the classrooms. The jobs offer flexible hours, summers and holidays off, and a chance to make a difference for children.
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As employers begin to embrace flexible work schedules demanded by many younger workers, they’re also offering them to older employees, who can work fewer hours at a lower salary. It’s a good deal for both employees and employers, who can retain the institutional knowledge that might otherwise be lost as Boomers exit the workforce.
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