Explore the Best Jobs for Retirees

Retirees who take on work can draw on decades of experience while maintaining flexibility and staying engaged. Part-time roles, consulting, and other opportunities can supplement income and provide a sense of purpose.

This guide covers consulting work that leverages professional expertise, remote part-time positions, volunteer opportunities with nonprofits, and ways to turn hobbies into income.

• Applying professional experience to consulting
  • Expand your network and drive business growth
• Part-time remote roles
  • Available part-time remote positions for retirees
• Turning hobbies into income
• Conclusion
• FAQs
• What are some ideal jobs for retirees?
  • What are the best careers to pursue starting at age 60?
  • Is it advisable to work part-time after retiring?
  • What proportion of retirees work part-time?
  • Leveraging professional experience in consulting

Retirees with deep industry knowledge can work as consultants, advising businesses on strategy and operations. Taking on freelance projects keeps skills sharp and makes their work more competitive. Regular learning and client feedback ensure they stay current.

Expand your network and drive business growth

Networking at industry events: Attend conferences and seminars to meet potential clients and collaborators.

1. Social media engagement: Use LinkedIn to connect with industry peers and share relevant insights.
2. Client acquisition through networking: Reach out to your network to identify new clients, focusing on sectors where your experience is strongest.
3. Experienced retirees can also serve as strategic advisors and mentors. They help new consultants and business owners make sound decisions and sidestep common pitfalls. This work includes developing marketing strategies and managing finances—budgeting, investment decisions, and tax planning—to sustain a consulting practice over time.

Part-time remote roles

Retirees seeking part-time remote work have many options that fit their skills and schedule. Temp agencies and contract staffing firms can match you with temporary positions. Platforms like FlexJobs, FlexProfessionals, FreeUp, and WAHVE connect retirees with part-time opportunities that match their background.

Available part-time remote positions for retirees

Payment Specialist – FuturePlan

1. Location: Nationwide, Remote
   • Hourly Pay: $14.81 to $25.95
   • Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, life, and pet insurance; 401(k) with company match; education assistance.
   • Retirement Plan Administrator – FinDec
2. Location: Stockton, CA, Remote
   • Salary: $65k – $85k
   • Job Summary: Administering retirement plans.
   • Contracts Assistant – Rev Agency, LLC
3. Location: San Marcos, CA, Remote
   • Benefits: 401(k) with employer match; employee discounts on travel.
   • Remote roles offer financial benefits and the flexibility to work from home. You can balance work with leisure or family time without committing to a full-time schedule.

Engaging in community and nonprofit work

Volunteering with nonprofits and community organizations enriches your life while strengthening your community. Many opportunities exist for different skill levels. Professionals can put their expertise to use—lawyers can take on cases for underserved populations, accountants can help with tax preparation for low-income families. Some retirees take on leadership roles as volunteer board members or officers, applying years of management experience without a salary.

Volunteering has real health benefits. Working with people of different ages—mentoring children, serving on community boards—keeps you mentally and physically active and builds a sense of belonging. Research shows volunteering reduces isolation and can help with age-related health challenges like heart disease and bone loss.

Nonprofits actively recruit volunteers and work to make roles meaningful. Local chambers of commerce and community organizations can connect you with opportunities that match your skills and interests. When organizations pair experienced retirees with the right roles, everyone wins—organizations get skilled help, and retirees find purpose and connection.

Turning hobbies into income

Many retirees have marketable skills from their hobbies. If you're creative, you can teach workshops in music, art, crafts, or baking. Online marketplaces like Etsy and eBay let you sell handmade items, antiques, or collectibles to a global audience.

If you're interested in health and fitness, you might work part-time as a fitness instructor, yoga teacher, or personal trainer. Teachers can tutor subjects like math, English, or music in person or online. Both paths let you stay active while helping others.

Gardening, baking, metalworking—many hobbies can generate income. Selling vegetables at farmers' markets, baking goods for local events, or hunting for collectibles can be rewarding both financially and personally. These activities build community connections and give you satisfaction from turning your interests into work.

Conclusion

Retirees have many paths to meaningful work. You can consult in your field, take on part-time remote roles, volunteer with nonprofits, or monetize your hobbies. These options offer financial benefits, mental engagement, and a sense of contribution. The key is matching your skills and interests to opportunities that fit your lifestyle and goals.

Whether you consult, work remotely, volunteer, or turn a hobby into a side business, there are options. Many retirees find that continued work or volunteer engagement supplements income, provides growth, encourages social connection, and keeps them contributing to their communities. Explore what interests you and what aligns with your experience.

FAQs

What are some ideal jobs for retirees?

Ideal jobs for retirees offer flexibility and reasonable responsibility. Some common options are:

Event staff

• Concierge
• Driver
• Tax preparer
• Babysitter
• Freelance writer
• Freelance consultant
• Real estate agents earn about $42.20 per hour on average and help buyers and sellers with property transactions.
• What are the best careers to pursue starting at age 60?

Starting a career at 60 is entirely feasible. Some widely available options are:

Clergy

• Tour guide
• Business owner
• Maintenance worker
• Retail salesperson
• Teacher
• Financial planner
• Counselor or life coach
• Is it advisable to work part-time after retiring?

Part-time work in retirement can be valuable. It supplements income and extends how long your savings last, while still leaving time for leisure. It also provides mental engagement and social interaction, both important for well-being.

What proportion of retirees work part-time?

According to the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, 57% of workers plan to work into retirement—21% full-time and 36% part-time.

According to a study by the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, 57% of workers from various generations plan to continue working into their retirement, with 21% expecting to work full-time and 36% part-time.