There’s no doubt about it – there’s an increasing trend of retirees returning to the workforce, with up to 20% of retirees going back to work.
Searches for ‘Jobs for retirees’ and ‘Jobs for pensioners’ are very much on the rise, and may even be what led you to this post.
But why is this happening?
We’ll explore that in greater detail below, but among those thinking of unretiring, 69% cite the growing cost of living.
Another reason is purely for the mental stimulation – to avoid boredom. The Social Security retirement age in the US is currently 67. With modern healthcare as it is, many individuals are living well into their 80s, sometimes longer, and many of them simply need something to do to keep their brains active. In fact, retirees who come back to their former careers most often do so in pursuit of mental stimulation.
Luckily, there are plenty of options out there when it comes to retirement jobs, particularly those which offer greater flexibility for retirees who want to stay physically and mentally active, but can’t quite stretch to the rigors of a full-time role.
Temporary or part-time jobs for retirees are freely available across a number of different platforms, offering the chance to earn an income and stay mentally sharp while not being tied to typical 9 – 5 hours.
And these jobs are available all over the country, whether you’re looking for good part-time jobs for retirees in Houston, Atlanta, or Cincinnati.
So, read on as we’re about to explore just why retirees should consider temporary work and discuss the 8 best jobs for retirees.
Why should retirees consider temporary work?
One of the main reasons retirees are looking to return to the workforce is fairly obvious – finances, or rather, for greater financial stability.
It may be that by the Social Security full-retirement age of 67, they simply haven’t accrued enough money in their retirement account to be able to live comfortably and cover all their expenses.
In fact, the need for additional income was found to be a primary motivation for returning to work for retirees, with almost half (48%) citing financial reasons. Part-time jobs for retirees can provide that financial stability that they seek and give them the ability to plan ahead better, particularly when benefits such as Same Day Pay are available.
Finances aside, there are also the social and mental health benefits of returning to work for retirees. Retirement jobs can provide social interaction and mental stimulation which retirees would miss if they stayed at home. In almost all jobs for retirees, there are a number of colleagues to interact with, helping to combat the loneliness that may otherwise affect many retirees.
And it should be considered that retirees have accumulated a lifetime of valuable skills and experience, possibly across various sectors and roles, that can be beneficial to employers. In turn, retirees themselves may well feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction at putting these skills back into action.
So, that’s why retirees may consider returning to the workforce, but what about the type of jobs that might suit them?
Temporary jobs offer a good solution, giving retirees the flexibility that allows them to balance work with other commitments they may have. There are plenty of part-time jobs available for retirees, and not just jobs, but good part-time jobs.
And to prove the point, we’ve compiled a handy list of 8 flexible retirement jobs suitable for retirees who want to both supplement their income and stay physically and mentally active.
1. Bookkeeper
Bookkeeping is the ideal option for retirees with financial or accounting experience, allowing them to contribute to businesses in a meaningful way. They can quickly adapt to the role without extensive retraining, allowing them to naturally transition into it. And they can also get to grips with tasks that will be familiar to them, which bookkeeping typically involves, such as reconciling accounts, tracking expenses, and managing invoices.
Skills needed for this role: to take on a retirement job as a bookkeeper, you’ll need sound knowledge of accounting principles, strong attention to detail to ensure accuracy, strong organizational and communication skills (if, for example, dealing with clients), and proficiency in certain accounting software, such as Xero or QuickBooks.
Benefits:
- The ability to work remotely or on a part-time basis, fitting many retirees’ schedules
- The nature of bookkeeping keeps the mind active and engaged
- The utilization of existing skills – most bookkeepers come from an accounting/finance background
- Routine, structured tasks make for a low-stress working environment
- Minimal setup costs – a computer, accounting software, WiFi connection
2. Tour Guide
In terms of jobs for retirees, working as a tour guide can be both fun and rewarding, offering the opportunity to share your knowledge and passion for a specific location or topic, or both.
For example, you might want to guide tours through historic areas of lower Manhattan, or the music scene in Nashville – whichever you feel is your area of expertise.
If you’re a retiree with a wealth of knowledge about local history, culture, or attractions, and you’d like to share your expertise with visitors from all different places, then being a tour guide is for you.
Skills needed for this role: To take on a retirement job as a tour guide, you’ll need an area of expertise (a city’s history and architecture, knowledge of museum artifacts, knowledge of art or music… or something of that nature), a relatively outgoing personality, and a passion for storytelling.
Benefits:
- The chance to interact and connect with people from all walks of life
- A sense of fulfillment from sharing your knowledge and passion with others
- Flexible, part-time, and/or seasonal work, to suit your schedule
- The chance to stay physically active, as many tours involve walking through cities, parks, or historical sites
- Earning money doing something you love
3. Retail Assistant
If you’re looking for part-time jobs for retirees, then working in retail could offer the right opportunities. Retail assistant roles give you the chance to have increased social interactions, work as part of a team, and stay up to date on new trends and technologies – keeping you mentally engaged and connected with the world around you.
These new technologies might include point-of-sale systems, digital inventory management tools, and customer service technologies. And, depending on the role, you may gain further experience with e-commerce, mobile apps, or online order systems, giving you insight into the digital side of retail.
Skills needed for this role: if you’re looking for retirement jobs in retail, you’ll need to have strong communication skills to handle customer inquiries, the ability to work as part of a team, problem-solving skills, product knowledge (to know how to advise and sell to customers), basic technology skills, and good time management.
Benefits:
- Regular interaction with both customers and colleagues increases social engagement
- Staying up to date on trends and technologies keeps the mind sharp
- Flexible options: different shift times and part-time and seasonal opportunities
- A sense of belonging from working well together in a team
4. Event Staff
Working as event staff, such as a greeter or ticket taker, can be a fun part-time job for retirees, offering plenty of social interaction, in a lively environment. These events can range from small gatherings to large-scale festivals, comedy gigs, or concerts, offering plenty of variety.
The job typically involves straightforward tasks such as welcoming guests, checking tickets, and directing attendees. It’s pretty low-stress and involves minimal physical labor other than having to stand and interact with the public.
Skills needed for this role: To work as event staff, as a retirement job, you need to be friendly and approachable so you can provide excellent customer service to all guests. You need to be organized, to manage and prioritize tasks, and have strong communication skills; and you need to be comfortable working in environments that may, at times, be noisy.
Benefits:
- Regular social interactions with attendees from diverse backgrounds
- Variety – you could be working at small music gigs or large concerts, and anything in between
- A fun, lively, energetic working environment
- Flexible/part-time/temporary roles, to suit your schedule
- Minimal training required
- Possible perks, such as free/discounted tickets and behind-the-scenes tours
5. Cleaner
Facilities management cleaning roles offer good part-time opportunities for retirees, particularly those with strong attention to detail and organizational skills. These roles are all about maintaining a clean, safe, and hygienic environment in places such as hotels, office environments, hospitals, and schools.
You’ll often be tasked with cleaning, mopping, dusting, polishing, vacuuming, and taking out trash and recycling to the correct receptacles. Occasionally, you may have to use specialized equipment such as floor scrubbers or pressure washers.
These roles are the ideal retirement jobs for those with a keen eye for detail who like to see visible results from their hard work.
Skills needed for the role: You need to be thorough when taking on a cleaning role, so meticulous attention to details is essential, as is effective time management to prioritize tasks and manage cleaning schedules effectively. You also need to be able to carefully follow safety protocols, as cleaning involves sticking to health and safety regulations, such as using the correct cleaning fluids and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).
Benefits:
- Flexible and part-time hours available to suit your schedule
- Social interaction from working within a team
- Physical activity – cleaning roles can help with your overall fitness and wellbeing
- Routine, structured tasks – a low-stress working environment
- Minimal training/no certification required
6. Freelance Editor or Writer
A good part-time job for pensioners or retirees with previous experience in writing or editing – perhaps as a journalist or copywriter – is freelance writing and editing. Regardless of the type of writing and editing you choose to pursue, this kind of retirement job allows you to work independently, set your own hours, and work on a wide variety of projects/topics.
You could find yourself writing anything from articles to blog posts, or advertisements to video scripts, and editing anything from technical writing to scientific manuscripts. You could work with individual clients directly or maybe an agency could take you on. As you build a portfolio of published work (you may already have one), you can land more jobs.
Skills needed for the role: You need to have written professionally before, in some capacity. This is not a job for retirees who just have a computer keyboard and can type a bit. Excellent grammar, punctuation, and the ability to adapt to different styles, or tones, are essential. And the ability to conduct thorough research on various topics is equally essential.
You’ll also need to be adaptable to writing for different platforms/media and genres. Time management is pretty important too, as you’ll often be writing on deadlines. Multiple projects on the go equals multiple deadlines. And you need a fair degree of empathy to try to understand the audience you’re writing to.
Benefits:
- Flexibility – you choose your own hours and workload
- A wide variety of projects across different media and topics
- Mental stimulation – writing and editing keeps the mind active and engaged
- Work from anywhere – from home, your local coffee shop, or library
- Creative fulfillment – these jobs allow you to express your creativity through your writing
7. Wait Staff
Working as waiting staff can offer the ideal solution in terms of part-time jobs for retirees, whether working for an individual restaurant, a catering company, or a large banquet suite.
However, retirees should be aware that hospitality is a fast-paced industry, with physical demands such as carrying heavy trays and cognitive challenges like numerous inquiries (and possible complaints) from guests.
Ultimately, the role revolves around guest satisfaction: taking orders, making food and drink recommendations, accommodating specific dietary requirements, making sure wine glasses are refilled, serving food, and dealing with any inquiries that come up along the way. One particularly good thing about wait staff roles is the opportunity to earn tips on top of your set wage – allowing you to boost your additional income.
Skills needed for the role: To be successful in a retirement job working as wait staff, you’ll need strong customer service skills to handle all customer inquiries and/or issues swiftly and professionally. You’ll also need to be patient and adaptable, as the hospitality sector can be fast-paced and somewhat unpredictable at times. You’ll need to be comfortable in a team-based environment, working closely with other servers, chefs, and kitchen staff; and you’ll need to keep up with the physical demands of the job – often standing for long periods of time and carrying heavy or awkward trays.
Benefits:
- Constant social interaction, both with guests and with members of your team
- Tips – allowing your to boost your earnings
- Flexibility – allowing you to work part-time or on a seasonal basis
- A lively, energetic work environment, especially at events such as weddings or corporate functions
- Variety – you could be working in a local cafe, a fancy restaurant, a large dining hall, etc.
8. Warehouse Worker
When it comes to jobs for retirees, working as a warehouse worker is definitely something worth considering. It’s a physically demanding job that provides opportunities for exercise, social interaction (working as part of a team), and skill development.
Warehouse work will often involve lifting and carrying goods, storing them in the correct places, and inventory management – making sure there’s enough stock in the warehouse. These jobs will also often involve using certain machinery and/or technology, for which you can usually get on-the-job training.
Due to the use of certain machinery, it’s essential that, as part of your role, you stick to safety protocols and wear any PPE your employer asks you to.
Skills needed for the role: To take on a retirement job as a warehouse worker, you need a degree of physical fitness. It’ll also help if you have a little knowledge of logistics and supply chain processes. You need to be able to work as part of a team, be aware of your surroundings (to ensure your safety and the safety of others), and have good problem-solving skills. And you need strong attention to detail for accuracy when handling orders and ensuring customers receive the correct goods.
Benefits:
- Regular exercise – the role involves lifting, carrying, and walking
- Learning new skills – how to use certain machinery or technology
- Social interaction – working with colleagues, building relationships, being part of a team
- Flexibility – part-time and/or seasonal work available, to suit your preferences
- Shift options – work is available mornings, afternoons, and evenings, allowing you to pick and choose the best times for you
Tips for finding and landing good part-time jobs for seniors
If you’re a retiree looking for good retirement jobs across the UK, whether you’re looking for roles in Austin, TX, Ontario, CA, or anywhere else, it pays to know how to start your search for such jobs.
Here are a few job hunting tips to help you get the ball rolling:
- Use online job boards like LinkedIn or Glassdoor, or better still, use an app specifically for finding flexible jobs, like Indeed Flex
- When using online search engines, use relevant keywords to refine your job search, like ‘temporary work’, ‘part-time’, ‘retirement jobs’, or ‘jobs for retirees’
- Set up job alerts on any job boards or apps you use so you’re notified of new opportunities as soon as they come up
- Visit the careers pages of companies you’re interested in, as many will post temporary job openings directly on their own websites
- Get in touch with family, friends, and former colleagues who might know of upcoming opportunities
- Start networking – attending conferences, workshops, and industry events – to make new connections and potentially find new roles
- Use social media platforms to spread the word that you’re looking for a job
- When pursuing jobs, highlight your transferable skills from all of your previous roles
- Highlight your achievements in previous roles – your successes
- Consider freelancing or consultancy work, given your previous experience; use sites like Upwork to land new projects
If you’re looking for retirement jobs, there are plenty out there, across all different sectors – each requiring different skills and coming with a host of different benefits. You just have to keep an open mind, apply yourself to your job search, and see what comes your way.
