Going Back to Work? Looking at Popular Post-Retirement Jobs
When you think about retirement, you may imagine clocking out for the final time and telling your boss to take this job and shove it. You may dream about a carefree day at the beach or on the golf course and plenty of extended visits with your grandchildren. However, many of today’s seniors envision an entirely different type of retirement involving more work.
A growing trend in the U.S. shows that an increasing number of seniors are working well into their retirement years, taking on new jobs after their “official” retirement whether it’s because they need the cash or simply because they’re bored, some of these seniors are staying on the clock for many years after their 65th birthday.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the number of employed Americans between the ages of 65 and 90 has skyrocketed in recent years. 6.4 percent of Americans age 75 or older (more than 1 million seniors) were still working in 2006, up from 4.7 percent just ten years earlier.
But what kind of jobs are these seniors taking on so late in life? Here are a few of the most popular post-retirement jobs:
The Same Ol’ Job:
Many retirees stay put in the same job they’ve held for years. After all, it’s often easier to stick with what you know. Some ask their employers if they can work fewer hours and take on a smaller workload for a reduced salary. This option gives many retirees the best of both worlds: they continue to earn some income, but they also win some extra time to take on new hobbies, travel and relax at home.
Consultant
Many seniors who were an expert in their field during their working years end up selling their expertise to other companies after they retire. For example, you are your company’s most practiced technical guru. After you retire, you could offer your tech services to other businesses—or even your old company.
Caterer
Many seniors dream of cooking and baking their days away after retirement. So, why not make it into a post-retirement career?
You should consider starting your catering business if you’re a regular Martha Stewart in the kitchen. If you aren’t quite willing to run an entire business on your own, you could always look for job openings with a local catering company. That way, you can cook and bake to your heart’s content without dealing with business headaches.
Store greeter
Okay, so it may seem a little cliché, but these welcome wagon positions are still extremely popular with retirees. Not only is greeting a low-stress way to earn extra income, but it’s also the perfect prescription for bored retirees who want to get out and socialize. Store-greeter positions aren’t just limited to supermarkets anymore. These days, businesses from car dealerships to electronics stores are hiring happy greeters to welcome customers.
Tour guide
You’ve been around long enough to know every historical detail of your hometown. So, why not share some of that knowledge as a tour guide?
If you’re a history buff, you may want to look into job openings at the local museum, a nearby historical monument, or a sightseeing tour. These part-time tour guide positions are flexible and fun, and they’ll also allow you to socialize with exciting tourists from around the world.
Of course, these are just a few of the countless jobs seniors take after their “official” retirement. Many jobs are available for retirees, from temp work to customer service positions and everything in between.
