You earn your retirement—getting to that goal where you can leave the daily grind and focus on enjoying your senior years takes hard work and planning. But retirement isn’t always devoid of employment.
Maybe it’s a matter of getting more money to enjoy traveling while in retirement. Perhaps your long-time employer didn’t offer the greatest retirement contributions, necessitating a little supplementary income. Or you could just be bored and miss doing something outside of the house with your energy or talents!
Whatever the reason, you may find yourself looking for some part-time work in retirement—nothing stressful or demanding, just a few hours per week somewhere that provides both a decent paycheck and an enjoyable outlet of your time. And, the key is, you can find the former without sacrificing the latter. Part-time work in retirement doesn’t have to be an inconvenient turn in something you don’t find enjoyable at all.
If you’re looking for a little extra walking around money during your retirement, think about searching for work in these categories:
Lend your expertise
Your lifetime of work can count for something in retirement. Whether you were a one-company careerist or moved between industries in your working life, your experience can be a valuable asset to companies of all types.
Retirees coming from the world of medicine can be in demand for various jobs in therapy, rehabilitation and many other branches of health care. This could range from part-time work as a technician or aide to remote consultation of patients depending on your field and experience.
Consultancy is a common way to shift gears from full-time work to part-time employment in retirement for those who have built up a potent resume through the years. Accountants, software engineers, human resources professionals, and senior management with long-term experience can keep plying their trade by offering consulting services that can fetch a solid paycheck without much commitment of time. In the same vein, perhaps teaching the next generation of workers through speaking engagements or short-term classes in your town or city could be a great application of your expertise in retirement.
Help causes you believe in
Non-profit organizations and charities are often looking for volunteers more than hiring on employees, but some will have roles that will both pay you for your time and make you feel it is time well spent.
Like above, some non-profits seek professional consulting where you can provide assistance to a charitable organization needing guidance or assistance with people management, fundraising, financial sustainability, etc. Providing your expertise to guide a good cause will put a little money in your pocket while also leaving you feeling like you’ve made a positive impact. This could also lead to a second act in your career of steering an organization whose work you believe in by being a part of their board.
There are many functions within non-profits where you can find work beyond a high-level advisory role. You can help write grant applications, train volunteers, maintain an organization’s IT, or help with scheduling. By finding an organization whose work you support, enjoying work in retirement can be a lot easier.
Work in the arts
Maybe you don’t want to revisit your previous career in your part-time retirement work and you’re looking for something simple that serves as a change of pace. Instead of getting a cashier, counter or retail floor job, consider opportunities in your local arts scene.
Local theaters of all types need ushers and other staff that work during shows, providing a part-time job that isn’t strenuous and has the added benefit of catching a performance while on the clock! Similarly, museums and concert halls can use limited help in customer service and ticketing. Venues for arts and entertainment can often provide predictable hours and enjoyable work environments while not being too demanding.
Working in retirement is becoming more common and there are lots of opportunities to consider. If these job ideas don’t get the gears turning, check out our blog posts, Millennial Trend for Retirees: The Side Hustle and Thinking Outside the Box: What to Do in Retirement, for even more inspiration!
To learn more about this and other estate planning topics, visit our website, explore our blog, and schedule your complimentary consultation today!