Retirement strips away the stresses of the workday and replaces them with rest, relaxation, independence and adventure. While you might think that having unlimited time to do whatever you please is endlessly appealing, many retirees find they miss the sense of order that working brought to their lives. If you feel you might need more stability in your golden years, consider the following options for work in a post-work life.
Go back to school
Schools are always in need of substitute teachers and aides, which is an attractive avenue if you’re looking for something to do and are feeling the empty nest blues. Even if you don’t have a degree in education or experience in teaching, career expert Alison Doyle of The Balance Careers writes that you can still be a substitute classroom aide or teacher in many school districts. Because you will have the option to accept or decline assignments, substitute teaching is also a flexible option. If you prefer to stay out of the classroom, Doyle notes that you can work in the office as an administrator, prepare food in the cafeteria or, if you have a commercial drivers’ license, drive a bus.
Working as an English instructor overseas is an option that combines your love of teaching with your desire to travel. According to Jane Bennett Clark, former senior editor for Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, classroom experience is not required; in some countries and institutions, you only need a college degree to qualify, while others may require that you have Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages or Teaching English as a Foreign Language certification.
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Enjoy retirement as a tour guide
If you’re bursting with hometown pride and love talking to new people, you might want to consider becoming a tour guide. Clark writes that this job may only require passing a test and become licensed by a regional authority; information on requirements for becoming a city tour guide in your state can be found through the National Federation of Tourist Guide Associations.
If you manage to get this job, the reward is quite great — not only will you meet new people and forge connections with people from all over the world, but NFTGA Vice President Ellen Malasky suggests that the median compensation for tour guides is around $40 an hour.
If your city attracts tourists but doesn’t have much in the way of guided tours, Doyle suggests that you could parlay your love of meeting new people from all over into a concierge job at a nearby hotel. If you don’t mind working weekends, you can help visitors determine the best places to eat, visit and see in your town.
Work a retail or food service job
Earlier in life, you likely worked a retail or food service job with the goal of eventually moving on to greener pastures. After you’ve retired, going back to your retail roots is a great way to earn a little bit of extra cash, interact with people and enjoy a few perks and discounts along the way. Doyle recommends looking for holiday jobs if you’re not interested in committing to something more long-term and also suggests delivery services like FedEx and UPS for seasonal employment.
Eleanor Laise, senior editor for Kiplinger’s Retirement Report, also recommends exploring your possibilities within the gig economy. Laise cites a JPMorgan Chase Institute study that found gig work, such as driving for Uber or pet-sitting through DogVacay, has become increasingly popular among seniors in the United States. Airbnb, the service that allows you to rent out spare rooms or property to travelers, reported that it saw 100 percent growth in hosts aged 60 and older over a 12-month period.
If you feel that you have your retirement all laid out, punch out for the last time and don’t look back. But if you feel that you need to use your time more meaningfully and bolster your spending cash a bit in the process, these and other post-retirement jobs should do the trick.
If you need more guidance about your retirement, call Minster Bank to speak with an advisor today about your retirement plan!
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