Posted in Triplett & Carothers on June 3, 2025
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, by 2033, about 30% of Americans aged 65 to 74 are expected to still be in the labor force, while approximately 10% of those aged 75 and older are expected to continue working.
What are some reasons people choose to work after retirement? A study by the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies in 2011 found that many individuals (44%) believe they will still need the income, fear that Social Security won’t be available by the time they retire or suspect they will not have sufficient retirement savings. However, there are other reasons older adults continue to work. Some people want to stay on group health insurance, especially if they are not old enough to qualify for Medicare. Others prefer working because it keeps them active, provides a sense of purpose and helps them stay socially connected.
Seniors4Hire.org, a career center for people 50 and older, notes that the pandemic opened up legitimate work-from-home jobs. Many of these opportunities may be available to older workers, particularly those who are tech-savvy. Companies sometimes hire retirees for reduced working hours, allowing the business to benefit from experience without providing all fringe benefits. In other words, if you’d like to continue working when you reach retirement age, there are plenty of opportunities, especially if you are willing to explore a new field or employer.
Job ideas
Before you begin your search, decide on a work schedule, the level of responsibility you’re willing to accept and how much money you hope to make. This will help you find a position that aligns with your time and energy. Next, try to identify what you would like to do. Here are some options to consider:
Do what you did before — just less of it. You don’t have to leave your previous career entirely; many retirees find satisfaction in working reduced hours in familiar roles. You might transition from a full-time position to a part-time role or work specifically with a client with whom you have worked before, all without leaving the company. You can also leverage your professional network or LinkedIn for opportunities with new companies or clients.
Teach or tutor. If you have teaching experience or a passion for sharing knowledge, you might enjoy working as a teacher or tutor. Local colleges, universities, arts centers, and parks and recreation departments often seek instructors to teach enrichment classes, personal safety courses, driver’s education or specific subjects such as math or English. Another option is to train to tutor in your local school district or at an online tutoring company such as Wyzant.
Consult or freelance. Retirees with specialized skills can thrive as consultants or freelancers, particularly as organizations downsize and seek project-specific expertise. Platforms such as Upwork connect freelancers with clients looking for expertise in various fields.
Provide customer service. Decades of workplace experience make retirees excellent candidates for customer service roles, including remote help desk jobs. FlexJobs.com offers listings for companies hiring remote customer service representatives.
Participate in research. Information gathering is a valuable skill in fields such as medicine, science, politics and technology. If you excel in these areas, you may be able to support research at universities and businesses, collecting and analyzing data. Indeed.com allows you to search for research positions by location.
Accept a government job. The federal government offers numerous part-time and seasonal positions, as do state, county and city governments. Federal opportunities are listed on USAjobs.gov.
Monetize skills and hobbies. Some retirees turn hobbies or home skills into a source of income. You can sell handmade creations such as pottery or jewelry online through Etsy or similar marketplaces. You can also provide home repair services or help with small tasks, such as hanging pictures, by exploring options on platforms such as TaskRabbit.
Provide translation or interpretation. If you’re bilingual, consider working as a translator or interpreter. This can be a flexible and fulfilling role, either in person or remotely.
Support hospitality and tourism. Another gig economy job involves sharing local knowledge or providing unique experiences for travelers. Airbnb Experiences connects locals with travelers seeking guided tours or cultural activities. A more traditional route that sometimes offers compensation is to become a museum educator or theater usher.
Supply delivery and errand services. Some retirees make extra money running errands or delivering groceries, medicines and other items through platforms such as Instacart and DoorDash, which offer flexible schedules for couriers. It’s also possible to work as a casual personal driver, taking others to appointments or social events. However, you should confirm your auto insurance coverage and check your state’s licensing regulations.
Offer direct sales. Companies such as Mary Kay, Pampered Chef and Amway recruit retirees for direct-sales roles, allowing you to work from home selling products or hosting parties. But a word of caution: Before you commit, verify whether the company offers buy-back options for unsold products.
Generate passive income. You might want to use your expertise to develop an online course based on your experiences, such as RV travel across the U.S., or nonprofessional interest, such as an analysis of voyeurism in Hitchcock’s films. You could also build a website in your area of expertise and monetize it through ads or sponsored content.
Whatever you decide to do, working longer can be a rewarding way to stay active and engaged in retirement.
| Share |