Starting a New Career in Retirement

There are a lot of reasons people might want to go back to work after retirement.

Maybe their savings and Social Security don’t cover their cost of living. Maybe they need to earn some extra money so they can travel or help out a family member.

Or maybe they’re just bored. After a lifetime of eight (or more) hour days, you might have trouble filling your time. Starting a new career in retirement might be the perfect solution.

With that in mind, here are a few post-retirement career options you might want to pursue.

1. Working for a non-profit

After spending thirty or forty years in the high-pressure, profit-focused corporate environment, you might want a change. Why not try the non-profit sector?

Non-profits could still use the skills you honed at your corporate job but will be able offer you goals that are a bit loftier than just meeting quarterly profit expectations.

2. Getting behind the wheel

Sometimes starting a new career in retirement is as easy as getting behind the wheel. Services like Uber and Lyft have offered seniors new opportunities to work as ride-hailing drivers, provided they have a clean record and reliable transportation.

Alternatively, you might enjoy getting an opportunity to drive the latest model cars. New car dealerships sometimes hire retired seniors to transport cars between dealerships. If you enjoy driving this could be the gig for you.

According to U.S. News and World report, nearly six percent of people over 65 have transportation and material-moving jobs, for services like Uber, as delivery drivers, or in public transit.

3. Head to the library

Another popular position among seniors – 5.2 percent according to U.S. News – library work allows older people to work part-time and can be a good fit for people who like to read and learn new things.

4. Parks and museums

According to the AARP, 35 percent of people working as museum curators and conservators are over 55. And if you’d rather work in the great outdoors, check out your local park service. They might be taking on rangers for the summer season.

5. Open a franchise

Franchise ownership is becoming a popular second career for Baby Boomers, but it’s not a good job for someone who’s seeking a relaxing retirement. New franchisees should be prepared to invest a significant amount of money and work long hours to get their new business off the ground, but with potentially great financial results.

6. Consulting

“Consultant” is a pretty broad term, but it essentially means “someone who’s cultivated a wealth of knowledge.” And who better to fit that description than someone like you, who spent decades mastering your field.

Now that you’ve retired, you could put what you’ve learned to good use. Many companies will often bring back retired employees as contract workers, but you could also try working as an independent consultant, especially if you’re an expert at something like finance, IT or management.

7. Your old job

You might be able to stay at your old job, but just work at it part-time, coming in maybe three days a week, half the day, or just for part of the year. For example, some retired accountants pick up work during tax season and then go back to retired life after April 15.

The end of your career doesn’t have to mean The End. Starting a new career in retirement can allow you to meet new people and learn new skills, all while supplementing your bank account. Good luck!