Seven Part-Time Jobs After Retirement That Offer More Than Money
The conversation about retirement usually centers around money : whether you have enough, what “enough” even means, and how to plan ahead for unexpected financial needs such as home renovations or health problems. Part-time work in retirement is usually discussed in the same way: how much can you earn?
But when you’re retired, a side hustle isn’t necessarily 100% about money. First, if Social Security is an important part of your retirement plan, there is an upper limit to how much you can earn without penalizing those benefits. On the other hand, retirement is not just about money. If you’re not careful, retirement can be a boring and lonely time in your life when your physical and mental health decline, but the right hustle can help guard against these problems.
Benefits of a part-time job
Besides earning a little money, a side hustle can offer a number of benefits to anyone heading into retirement:
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Hobbies and interests. Indulging in hobbies and interests can be a powerful defense against depression , especially in older adults. While diving into a hobby just for fun is just as effective, finding side hustles that monetize your hobbies and interests can provide an even greater sense of purpose.
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Physical training. Physical activity has a long list of benefits for older adults (including a significant reduction in health care costs in retirement). A part-time job that requires physical activity will help you move on.
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Social contact. We tend to become lonelier after age 60 for a variety of reasons, including losing the social circle we had at work. A side hustle can bring us back to our “work family” or just give us the opportunity to interact with people on a regular basis.
Of course, cash for a side hustle is also good and often necessary. But choosing the right retirement option can offer other benefits. Here are some of the best options.
Partial retail
Retirees working in retail are a bit of a cliché, but working in retail can provide constant social contact with people. Seeing people every day strengthens your connection to your local community and also gives you a sense of purpose as you help your neighbors solve problems or navigate their own lives. And finding a retail job that builds on the skills you’ve acquired during your working life (such as retired salespeople working in hardware stores) may allow you to continue doing the work you enjoy and benefit on your skills and experience.
Pet sitting or walking
If you find yourself sitting at home, bored and lonely, both your mental and physical health will suffer. Research has shown that owning a pet provides enormous emotional and mental benefits, but pet ownership can be expensive .
Working as a pet sitter or dog walker can provide you with the emotional benefits of interacting with adorable animals at no cost, as well as the added benefit of increased physical activity ( one study found that dog owners walk their dogs an average of 30 miles per week ). . Sites likeRover or Wag make it easy to jump into this side hustle and thus easily incorporate socializing and physical activity into your life.
Local guide
You know your community better than anyone else, so why not improve your social interaction and get some exercise? Sites like ToursByLocals need local people to give tours around their area so you can meet new people, share your knowledge and experiences, and stay fit with lots of walking and other activities.
Career coaching
You’ve spent decades developing the skills and experience in your profession, and there are plenty of people who could benefit from it. If you have trouble making connections, if your skills have been your hobby and passion, becoming a career coach can be a way to make more personal connections and keep your passions alive. Sites like Hire Club are looking for experienced, experienced people to help their clients reach the next level in their careers, so this can be a great way to feel valued and feel like you’re making an impact by mentoring others.
Tutoring
If career coaching isn’t for you or your skills don’t match those of corporate careerists, another way to expand your network while applying your hard-won knowledge and skills to your side hustle is through tutoring. Sites like Tutors.com allow you to register to find tutoring options in your area, and people are always looking for tutors to help them or their children learn various subjects, so your local Craigslist or a simple Google search can lead you to tutoring sites speeches. And on sites like italki, there is an opportunity to become a language tutor for people without teaching certificates. Either way, tutoring connects you with a lot of different people and allows you to pursue your passion for a little extra money.
Gardening
If you have a green thumb and lack physical activity, seasonal work as a gardener or landscaper can keep you fit while allowing you to indulge your hobbies. Whether you’ve been a gardening or landscaping professional during your working life, or just an inspired hobbyist with a backyard filled with gorgeous plants, this is the side hustle that will keep you going.
Rent a room
If the problem is not physical activity but a feeling of isolation, then renting out a room or accessory dwelling unit (ADU) can provide both rent money and the comfort of a roommate. Sites like Nesterly specifically connect older homeowners with younger tenants, with the former offering a break in rent in exchange for some chores. This can be a comfort if you’re having a harder time running a household, but it can also lead to real friendships and unexpected social connections.