Supplementing Retirement Income: The Best Jobs for Seniors

Retirement income supplement

For many seniors, post-retirement is a confusing time. It should be the era of your life when you feel most fulfilled and happy, but it’s difficult for some to relax when they’re worried about sustaining their income for the next several years. After retirement age, many seniors find that their savings aren’t enough to allow them to keep the lifestyle they’ve grown accustomed to, leaving them to make hard decisions about selling their homes and downsizing.
 
It doesn’t have to be a stressful time, however. If you want to find a way to supplement your income after retirement, there are plenty of jobs out there, from customer service to dog walking, that can be done part-time or from home, leaving you the freedom to make your own schedule or tend to other responsibilities. If you have health or mobility issues, working from home may be the best route because it allows you to be your own boss.
 
Keep reading for some great tips on how to supplement your retirement income.
 
Childcare
 
Seniors are the perfect demographic for childcare services because they are often home for most of the day, have an abundance of patience, and can teach kids of all ages the skills that they’ve learned over their lifetime. It’s also something you can do part-time throughout the school year or during summer, and you can make great money with the right clients. Keep in mind that you may need a permit from the state you live in if you’ll have a certain number of children in your home; do some research online to find out more.
 
Teach
 
If you have experience as a teacher or have always been interested in helping our nation’s youth learn and grow in school, consider becoming a substitute teacher. This is a great job for seniors because it allows for flexibility, and you can enjoy the freedom of not having a set schedule or job, as you may be teaching science one day and art the next. Check with your state teaching board about applying.
 
Drive
 
Ride-sharing services have become extremely popular in recent years, in part because they are an inexpensive and efficient way to get around town. They’ve also become popular with seniors and individuals who aren’t interested in working a nine-to-five job since the hours are flexible and you are essentially working for yourself. You need to have your own car and a valid driver’s license, of course; check with local companies like Uber or Lyft for more details.
 
Tour Guide
 
Becoming a tour guide is a great way to earn extra money working part-time, especially if you’re interested in art or history. You might find a job with an art museum or with a historic home that gives tours to both locals and tourists alike. Think about places in your city that you’ve visited and do some research to see if those locations need help.
 
Find Your Passion
 
With technology as advanced as it is, many people are finding success with home-based businesses such as Etsy, where you can sell handmade items like jewelry, furniture, decor, and clothing. If you’re creative and love to make things, you can turn your hobby into a business that allows you to work from home and set your own hours. Go here for a list of online sites that allow you to sell your wares.
 
Supplementing your retirement income doesn’t have to be a stressful endeavor. With a good plan and a little creativity, you can find a part-time job -- or even a full-time one -- that will allow you to live the lifestyle you’re accustomed to without sacrificing much of your free time. 

Author: Lucy Reed