5 Excellent Jobs for Retired Seniors

Not all older adults want to retire, and many cannot afford to. The good news is that there are many “second careers” that are suitable for retiree seniors. These jobs allow you to enjoy retirement part-time while earning an income and maintaining your professional skills. What’s more, it’s easy to snag clients and connect with potential customers by using job boards like Upwork to find freelance work. Here are five options that are excellent for senior job seekers.

Sales Background? Sell Insurance

Selling insurance as a part-time job is the perfect fit for many seniors. Especially for those with a background in sales, working in insurance is a flexible and lucrative second career. You can make your own schedule, working from home, or anywhere else you please, and work as few or as many shifts as you prefer.

Using your networking skills, you can start finding clients immediately. Odds are, you have family and friends who are interested in purchasing an insurance policy but aren’t sure where to start. Fortunately, there are many life insurance options for retired people, too, so everyone can benefit.

Love to Travel? Be a Host

Many older adults enjoy traveling, whether by recreational vehicle, car, train or plane. And wherever you enjoy traveling to, there’s nothing like a hosting experience you can take part in. It’s the best of both worlds, since some campground host jobs include free rent in tent sites or RV park spots. Others also involve a regular paycheck.

Opportunities are often seasonal, and many are available only through word of mouth. But if you enjoy experiencing new places and traveling throughout the year, hosting may be a viable second career option.

You can find opportunities within your state (or the next one over) through many camper forums and resources. But state parks, including the US Forest Service, often post volunteer and other host opportunities, too. 

Enjoy Teaching? Tutor Students

Whether you have previous experience as a teacher or simply enjoy working with students of any age, tutoring can present a unique career option. In contrast with formal teaching positions at schools and colleges, tutoring roles tend to involve part-time jobs without strict application requirements.

Whatever your area of expertise, students can use your help to study for exams, complete coursework, and develop study skills. Depending on the students’ interests and needs, you may be able to work remotely, providing tutoring via video chat.

Speak a Second Language? Teach Online

Many educators—of all ages and backgrounds—decide to teach a foreign language to students online. Requirements vary based on the company, but many organizations hire professionals who have language fluency and a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.

Some roles may require a language teaching certificate, especially if you are teaching English to second-language learners. Flexible scheduling and the ability to work remotely are highlights of language instruction jobs.

Many English second language teachers decide to move abroad to teach English to international students. This is an excellent option if you want to travel the world while continuing to earn money during retirement. Of course, you can still continue to receive Social Security benefits while living in most foreign countries.

Love Kids? Become a Nanny

While you might have grandkids you enjoy babysitting for, you can make a second career out of caregiving, too. But ZipRecruiter explains that becoming a nanny is different than being a babysitter and often requires a longer-term commitment. Both roles require experience working with children and a positive attitude.

Earning CPR certification and honing your first aid skills are also desirable. Courses like NSC First Aid provide you with the updated best practices for handling minor to major injuries while on the job.

Are you ready to blend work with pleasure? Whatever your motivation is for finding a retirement job, these options provide the lifestyle perks and balance you need. But the best part is that you can still enjoy retirement downtime while reaping the financial and other benefits of a part-time career.

Looking for more financial advice? Check out the financial planning section of our site.