Financial security is now more important than ever. Many seniors end up returning to work during retirement to address concerns about money and the potential need to pay for senior care in the future, whether to cover the cost of assisted living or home care. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of older people rejoining the workforce tripled between 1988 and 2018 and will continue to grow: By 2026, retirees between the ages of 65 and 74 are projected to return to work at a rate of 21.8%. Here, learn considerations for choosing a job during your retirement years, types of jobs that are well suited for retirees, and how employment might affect your Social Security benefits.
What are good jobs for seniors?
There is no one perfect job for every older adult. Individuals have unlimited skills, interests, abilities, and financial needs. A wide range of jobs can be ideal for older adults in their retirement years. When thinking about the job that’s right for you, you’ll want to consider how much time you want to devote to your job, your interests, and what you need to maintain your health and personal fulfillment.
Consider part-time jobs that will allow you enough time away from work to enjoy your downtime. Depending on how much the job pays, having a part-time job will also help ensure you can earn some extra money but not so much that you reduce your Social Security benefits, which we explain more about in a section below.
Think about your interests. Have you always loved chatting with folks? Do you prefer to get your mind into your work and have fewer interruptions? Do you have a particular skill you’d like to use in a job? Do you have a budding interest in a new hobby? Your interests matter, and perhaps for the first time in your life, you can choose a job that relates to your interests, hobbies, and skills.
Also, consider choosing a job that can meet your physical health needs. Though retirement is a time for rest and relaxation, staying physically active is vital to good physical health. A manual labor job is not necessary; even the movements required to get ready for work and move throughout your shift can be better than resting in your favorite chair at home every day.
Jobs that preserve your mental health can be helpful, too. Many people find purpose in their decades-long professional careers, and creating meaning in retirement is key to maintaining emotional well-being. Identify what you think your life might be lacking in retirement. If it’s social interaction, for example, helping customers at a local store and establishing connections with coworkers may be just what you need.
Now, let’s explore common desires people may have for employment during retirement and some jobs that can help fulfill those wishes.
Jobs for seniors who want local, daytime work
You might want some extra money but don’t want to travel too far to earn it. Or you may love your local area. Either way, becoming involved with these local jobs can provide income without needing to head out of town. These jobs are only necessary during the day, so you don’t need to worry about nighttime driving or long hours on the weekend.
Crossing guard for a school district
Some seniors get great satisfaction in contributing to their communities by working as crossing guards. School districts staff these positions so that each crossing guard is typically at the same intersection each shift (with some changes, depending on staffing issues). You will get to know families as they walk their children to school and see the joy of smiling faces heading off to life in the mornings. Also, you’re providing safety to kids who need it.
The hours of crossing guard jobs may also be desirable: You work for a short time in the morning before school begins, then again in the midafternoon after the school day ends. These pockets of time allow you to make some extra money, interact with people, and have the late mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends, and holidays to yourself.
Connect with your local school system to learn the qualifications and how to get started.
Substitute teacher
Older adults have a wealth of experience from both life and a career. If you enjoy passing on your wisdom and spending time with today’s youth, you might consider substitute teaching.
Substitute teaching requires less knowledge about a particular subject. If you want to be in an educational environment but contribute in a more general way, substitute teaching could be a great option. Each school district hires substitute teachers through a process that includes background checks, interviews, and other steps. Once hired, you can substitute for an absent teacher in the district.
As a substitute teacher, you follow the teacher’s lessons for each class period and monitor student work and behavior, but you’re not responsible for grading the assignments. You report shortly before the beginning of the school day and can typically leave when the school day is over. Substitutes are paid based on how many days they work in a pay period, so this is another opportunity for you to work as much — or as little — as you want.
Jobs for seniors who like using technology
Many older adults have gone through their professional lives amassing technological skills, and they may either enjoy computers or simply want to keep putting their skills to work. Consider these options that are computer-oriented. If you have a computer and internet access at home, you may even be able to find an employer who hires remote workers — if you’d prefer to earn money from the comfort of your own home.
Customer support specialists
Customer service is a key aspect of a company, and you can be a part of this. As a customer support specialist, you will help consumers with needs related to a product or service. Your contribution will positively impact the customers by helping solve issues, your employer by ensuring greater customer satisfaction, and yourself by engaging with folks during your shift.
You may even be able to do this from home with a computer, internet access, and a phone. Depending on the company that employs you, you might need knowledge of a specialized area, but your employer might provide training once you are hired. You may also be able to work part-time, depending on the position and company.
Data entry person
Data drives the operations, management, and strategy of just about every company. Now that information is digitally stored on computers and servers, some data must be entered manually. Data entry jobs are common and can be accessible to many people. This type of job may also be flexible in that some companies require employees to enter data from an office while others allow employees to work from home. In remote work situations, the employee needs a computer and reliable internet access.
Some of the skills you’ll need for this type of job include computer proficiency and strong typing skills. Data entry may be a great part-time job opportunity for someone with these skills or an individual who wants to learn them, which, with some practice, are skills many can master.
Jobs for seniors who like interacting with people
Interacting with new people can be a fun way to spend time, whether you have long conversations with rental guests at your home or in short spurts while working a shift at a retailer. Either way, social connections can help liven up the day, and you can get paid for doing it.
Rent to long-term tenants or short-term guests
If you own your home, there are a few ways you can generate extra income to use for other expenses. You might consider renting out part or all of your home on Airbnb or Vrbo if you enjoy hosting and living in a town with a tourist economy. Seniors with extra space in their homes can rent a room to a regular tenant for a more predictable income stream.
This job requires using a computer and the internet, creativity to freshen up your rented space, and thought in marketing your rental. These activities keep your mind active and can be exciting if you want to learn new skills. Social interactions with your guests will allow you to connect with other people without leaving your home.
Retail clerk or greeter
A job as a grocery store clerk or greeter can be a good opportunity for a low-stress job. Many stores and retailers hire older adults to work in these positions. This type of job provides tasks within a specific area of skills that many people can easily master, even if they’ve never worked in retail before.
The social interaction opportunities are plentiful in this job — you’ll be having brief interactions with customers throughout your shifts, which can help create purpose and uplift your spirits.
Jobs for seniors who want to make their own schedules
Perhaps you want to make money in retirement, but you’re also happy to leave behind the 9-to-5 grind of your professional career. Or you might not want to commit to a long-term job because you spend time traveling or live in a warmer climate during colder months. Regardless of why you want (and deserve) to make your own schedule, these jobs could be just what you were looking for — and can be done on your terms.
Rideshare driver
Working for a rideshare company can help you earn the money you need to make ends meet in retirement. Driving for Uber or Lyft lets you create your own schedule and provides the opportunity to get out of the house and be social.
This type of job requires awareness of your driving abilities. Only those who can safely navigate roads and traffic should consider these jobs. Your vehicle also needs to be safe and clean for passengers.
A great aspect of this type of job is that you make your own schedule. If you are an early riser, you can clock in in the morning and have the rest of the day to yourself. If you don’t want to work a certain week because your family is visiting, you can choose not to.
Babysitter or pet sitter
Caregiving in any capacity can be emotionally fulfilling for an older adult, all while earning extra money. If you like child care or pet care, you can earn money for yourself while giving a friend or neighbor some assistance.
You can start by offering your services to family members, their friends, and friends of yours. Once you build a rapport with a family, consider asking them to be a reference if you want to expand to working with other families. Sites like Care.com connect caregivers, pet sitters, and house cleaners with families who need these services, so if you choose to work with multiple families or pets, you can market your services.
Think about safety considerations as you enter into this line of work. If you’re starting your own business, ensure that you have the proper insurance in place, if necessary, when dealing with animals while pet sitting.
Jobs for seniors who want to make income off their passion
Though people have decades-long careers, not everyone gets to make their passion the main source of income during their professional lives. In retirement, you may have that chance. With a little more time, you can turn your hobby, interest, or passion into a money-making endeavor. See some ideas here for how you can have a job doing what you love.
Repairperson
A good way to make cash and maintain relationships with your community is to work as a repairperson. You can earn money while providing a service to those who cannot make repairs for themselves.
With a job like this, you can take on as many projects as you’d like. You can choose to do repairs for friends, family, and acquaintances, or you can market yourself to your local community. Promoting your services is easier than ever with social media like Facebook. Many communities have local Facebook groups where people post when they need a service or promote that they offer a service. Apps like Thumbtack can also put you on the map with community residents so they know you can help with repairs when needed.
Online seller of items or wares
Online sales can be a great job opportunity for people who have an eye for items at flea markets and estate sales or who have amassed a collection of things over the years and want to downsize. Online thrifting is a large market that many people take advantage of to supplement their income.
Many websites, such as eBay and Etsy, help people sell items online. If the items in your collection are in good condition and you want to begin the decluttering process, you can sell your own items. If you love thrift stores, consignment shops, or flea markets, you can buy desirable items at lower prices and sell them for a profit online. This type of job requires knowledge of the types of items that will sell, as well as a computer, internet access, and the ability to pack and ship items.
Jobs for seniors who want passive income
Investing may be a good way for an older adult to make a passive income. Of course, investing comes with some risk, so it is important to speak to a financial adviser before deciding how much money to invest and what to invest in. Especially if you are new to investing, low-risk, low-return investments may be a good idea.
What happens to my Social Security benefits if I get a job?
It is a valid concern for seniors that returning to work will affect their Medicare and Social Security benefits. Fortunately, seniors who receive government assistance can supplement their income to a certain point without losing their benefits.
Medicare coverage
Many seniors rely on Medicare to pay for their medically necessary treatment, so it is important to balance protecting access to Medicare with looking to earn some extra income.
Earning more money can push you into a higher tax bracket, which can affect your Medicare benefits. Seniors who earn more than the income limit may be charged a premium surcharge for their Medicare Part B (outpatient) and Medicare Part D (prescription drug) coverage.
There are multiple options for Medicare beneficiaries to choose from, and the income limits can change annually. Check the page on Medicare costs. It outlines the premiums for each part of Medicare, lets you know which costs are affected by a member’s income, and how much the premiums may increase based on how the member files their taxes.
Social Security benefits
Some older adults receive Social Security benefits that help supplement their income. Whether extra work will affect your benefits depends on your full retirement age, if you were at that age for the entire year, the annual earnings limit for that retirement age, and if you surpassed those earnings during the year.
These factors make it a bit complex to determine if and how your personal benefits may be affected — and by how much.
Let’s look at some examples: In 2023, the income limit for seniors who have not fully retired but receive Social Security benefits is $21,240. For every two dollars an older adult makes over the annual income limit, the Social Security Administration will deduct one dollar from their benefits.
For seniors who are fully retired before they start receiving Social Security benefits, the annual income limit for 2023 is $56,520. For every three dollars the senior makes over the income limit, the Social Security Administration will take one dollar in benefits.
The Social Security Administration site provides an explanation of different scenarios that can help you understand how you might be affected by income here.
Employment support services for seniors
There is support available for older people who want to return to work but do not know where to start. The Senior Community Service Employment Program, also known as Workforce 55+, is a job training program that helps low-income unemployed seniors gain skills that employers are looking for. This program even matches seniors with jobs that best fit their skill set and experience. Participants in the program also can get employment assistance through American Job Centers.
It is completely possible to secure your financial future and earn the money you need in retirement on your own terms. Be sure to reach out to programs that can support you as you earn while you age.
