9 Fun & Fulfilling Part-Time Jobs for Seniors in Retirement
The idea of getting a job in your retirement years may strike you as counterintuitive. After all, doesn’t being retired mean … well, retiring? While today’s retirees may be enjoying carefree days visiting with friends, enjoying a good book, or seeing family members, they’re also heading back into the workforce at a surprising rate.
Why work in retirement?
Nearly 52 percent of seniors considering getting a job in their golden years are doing it because they’re “getting bored.” Some retirees feel a loss of daily routine, miss the regular social interactions that came with a career, and may even feel a general lack of purpose. A tried and true remedy for this post-retirement malaise is returning to the workforce on your terms. The Bureau of Labor Statistics backs this up, reporting that the labor force for those 75 and older is expected to grow 96.5 percent in the next decade.
A part-time job allows retirees the chance to meet new people (especially those of different generations), earn a little extra spending money or supplement retirement savings, and fill their days with new goals, challenges, and contributions to the greater good. And for many organizations, part-time workers are an excellent solution for their labor needs without dealing with the implications of hiring full-time staff. Retirees also bring a lifetime of experience with them back into the workforce.
One of the best parts about going back to work in your retirement years is that you have the freedom to do something you want to do, not something you have to do. Finding a job is as simple as looking into opportunities that ignite your interest. Here are nine jobs where you can work part-time and enjoy a fun, fulfilling activity. Maybe you’re looking for new ways to fill a few hours, a week, or maybe you’d like to pursue types of work you may not have had a chance to explore during your earlier life and career.
1. Tutor
Becoming a tutor is an excellent part-time job for retirees. Tutoring is more accessible than ever before with the rise of virtual sessions. There are a variety of online tutoring services, such as TutorMe that provide personalized learning to K-12 students across the country. If you’re interested in helping international students learn English, sites like Cambly allow you to virtually travel around the world to help others improve their language skills. Most sites offer guides, tutorials, and training classes to give tutors the skills they need to succeed.
If you like the idea of teaching but don’t necessarily want to interact daily, why not create an online course or two? Sites like Udemy allow you to create online courses that allow you to earn passive income when people choose to view.
2. Substitute teacher
Of course, if in-person teaching is more your thing, becoming a substitute teacher for your local school district is always an option. These on-call individuals fill in when full-time teachers are absent due to things like sickness or vacation. Some of these opportunities are more specialized, while others are more general. This is a great job for seniors who enjoy the educational field and perhaps taught once upon a time.
3. Delivery Driver
If you love being out and about or if you enjoy shopping, you can get your fill of driving and spending money (not your own) as a delivery driver. Food delivery services like Doordash and UberEats allow you the opportunity to deliver meals to customers with flexible schedules. If you’re more interested in shuttling people to and fro, Uber and Lyft are excellent opportunities to drive around and meet interesting people. Finally, for those who like to go grocery shopping (or shopping in general), Postmates, Shipt, and Instacart use independent contractors to shop for and deliver orders to customers. Driving provides plenty of time to socialize with people from all walks of life and practice the fine art of conversation.
4. Security Guard
While security guards and seniors aren’t words you would automatically put together, it turns out that this form of employment is actually quite attractive to retirees. This isn’t like a Secret Service or on-the-beat job. Rather, it’s being a parking guard, mall security guard, the guard to a gated community, and the like. These types of jobs are desk jobs, where you’d monitor alarms, check cameras, open and close gates, and perhaps do some light walking. Bonus: if you’re a night owl, there are second- and third-shift part-time positions available, so you can create the sleep schedule you want. Being a security guard is a great way to contribute a feeling of safety and provide peace of mind for others.
5. Pet Sitter or Dog Walker
Do you love animals? Then pet sitting or becoming a dog walker might be a fun and enjoyable way to earn money. Pet sitting entails taking care of someone’s pet while they’re out of town or otherwise unable to do so. Some people want you to stay in their homes, while others would like you to drop by their house to take care of their pet a couple times a day. Both Care.com and Rover.com are great places to list your services as well as your preferences (animals, pet sizes, staying at someone’s house vs. boarding, etc.). Plus, playing with animals and walking dogs can be a great, low-impact form of exercise.
6. Senior Aide
Did you know that many jobs helping elders – such as home health aides, companions, and others – are often done by younger seniors? Retirees in their 50s and 60s can get very fulfilling jobs as senior aides because they have flexible schedules and a more mature worldview than younger aides. Being a senior aide is a wonderful opportunity to help those older than you remain in their homes and stay as independent as possible.
7. Administrative Assistant
If you enjoy answering phones or providing customer service, working as an administrative assistant could be a great part-time job. As with being a tutor, you don’t even have to leave your home to become an admin! Platforms like Wing can help connect older workers with startups and other smaller businesses who like the flexibility of having a virtual office assistant. As long as you have a computer and an internet connection, you’re able to work – even in your pajamas!
8. Groundskeeper
If working outside on the lawn is one of your favorite hobbies, becoming a groundskeeper can be an excellent part-time job. In the spring and summertime, many lawn companies and golf courses need extra hands to keep the grass green, fresh, and well-manicured. Seniors interested in trying their hand at groundskeeping can use a platform like GreenPal to quickly and easily find jobs in their area.
9. Tax Preparer
Every year, Americans file their taxes, and for many, it’s a task they dread. Tax preparers can help take some of the stress, and a lot of the detail work, off these individuals’ plates. This can be a full-time, year-round job for older workers who really love working with numbers, but if you’re looking to help on a short-term basis, many tax and finance-related companies hire seasonal workers between January and April. Imagine being the reason someone doesn’t fear the IRS.
Find Fun and Fulfillment at Eastcastle Place
We know that retirement looks different for everyone, which is why we provide everything you need to help you live your best life, whether you’ve just hit retirement age or have been enjoying your golden years for some time. Our maintenance-free lifestyle in the heart of Milwaukee’s East Side gives you the freedom to do as much or as little as you want. And as a Life Plan Community, you’ll have peace of mind, knowing that a full continuum of care will always be available in the place you call home. Come for a personalized tour to see how vibrant life in our community can be. Retirement is only the beginning!