As you may remember, I have written other blog posts about part-time jobs for retirees. With Social Security benefits so low and retirement savings inadequate for at least half of all people who will be retiring soon, working after retirement is often not simply a matter of enjoyment, but of necessity.
There are many possible occupations for retirees. Before you even browse through the AARP suggestions below, you should consider continuing to work in the same field where you have earned a living in the past, by asking for a lighter schedule. You will not need to get more training and you may be able to earn at the top of the pay scale for that occupation. For example, many retired teachers continue to work periodically as substitute teachers. Other people may fill in for vacationing employees at their old company, or cover for someone who goes on maternity leave. However, if you want to consider additional options for part-time retirement jobs, here are the AARP ideas:
Library Assistant or Aide
If you love to work around books, you might apply for a job at your local library. You could work behind the desk answering questions and checking out books, or you might spend the time re-shelving books and sending out notices. You could work a wide variety of hours, since many libraries are open late and on weekends. In fact, if there is a university near you, some libraries stay open 24 hours of day! Of course, that does not mean you would necessarily be expected to work in the middle of the night. If you find a library position, you can expect to be paid anywhere from the minimum wage to as much as $17 or $18 an hour, depending on your experience and education.
In order to get a part-time job doing this, you may need to have prior experience working in a library or have a degree in library science. Even having experience as a library volunteer may be helpful. In addition, it could help you secure a library job if you worked in an office in the past and you can point out that you are able to do data entry or word processing on a computer, keep good records and you are knowledgeable about how a library works.
Bookkeeper
If you have a background in bookkeeping, this can be a fabulous part-time occupation after you retire. Many small businesses hire part-time bookkeepers because they do not need a full-time one. You may only need one or two local clients to keep you busy and help you earn a little extra money. Clients will expect to pay anywhere from $10 to $25 an hour, and sometimes as much as $50 an hour if you have extensive experience and training. It is possible that you will work at the business establishment that hires you. However, many bookkeepers also perform this service from their own homes, which is appealing to many Baby Boomers who want to work their own hours.
If you are looking for clients, it will be helpful to have experience in this field. If you do not, you could complete a bookkeeping course at at local community college. You will have to be familiar with accounts payable and receivable, maintaining bank accounts, producing financial reports, overseeing audits and maintaining computer systems. Of course it is also important for you to be detail oriented.
You also need to be willing to contact local companies to find one that needs your services. In other words, you have to have the ability to sell yourself and your skills.
Personal or Home-Care Aide
If you are healthy and active, you may be able to work as a home health aide during the first few years after you retire. In this job you will take care of people who are much older than you. Your duties would include companionship, grocery shopping, preparing meals, dispensing medications, and helping them with bathing and dressing. It is common for home-care aides to only work a few hours a day, two or three days a week, so it is a perfect part-time job. You can expect to be paid anywhere from the minimum wage to about $12 or $13 an hour.
There are training programs required for most jobs as a home care aide, but the programs only take a few weeks to complete. Agencies often provide the training and then they will help place you in a job. If you have physical limitations, such as the inability to lift someone who has fallen, you need to let the agency know so that you are assigned to jobs that will not cause you harm.
As our population ages, the demand for home-care aides has become greater. You do not need to have any prior experience in order to work part-time in this field, and it can be a welcome change from those high pressure jobs you may have had in the past.
Handyman
When I sold real estate, one of the most desirable people to know was the local handyman. If you are adept at making minor repairs around the house, you will be able to find all the part-time jobs you can handle. In fact, if you live in an area where there are many retirees, you are sure to get a lot of calls. The types of jobs you will be asked to do include minor carpentry jobs, plumbing, basic electrical work, painting and similar minor home improvement projects.
You can charge $10 to $20 an hour, and sometimes more for larger or more complicated jobs. You can work your own hours and decide which jobs you want to take. In most states you will need to have a license to perform handyman services and you may need to carry liability insurance. It is also necessary for you to have your own tools, as well as a desire to be helpful to others.
Medical Assistant
If you have experience working in a hospital or medical office, you may be able to find part-time work in this field after you retire. The types of jobs you could do include working in the front office, billing insurance companies, scheduling appointments, etc. Depending on your experience, you may also have additional duties. Your pay can range from $10 to $20, or more, depending on your experience.
The medical field is an area that is growing rapidly. If you do not have experience, however, it may be impossible to find a job in this area. If you are inexperienced but have a strong desire to work in the medical field, you may decide to go through a certificate program at a local community college. Some of these programs only take nine months to complete in order to be qualified to work in a variety of medical assisting occupations.
In addition to these jobs recommended by AARP, you will want to check out my other articles about jobs for retiring Baby Boomers. You will find links to them in the index article "Money and Financial Planning for Baby Boomers."
If you are planning to retire soon, you may also be interested in checking out the index articles below. Each one contains an introduction and a links to a variety of articles on those topics.
Gifts, Travel and Family Relationships
Great Places for Boomers to Retire Overseas
Great Places to Retire in the United States
Health and Medical Topics for Baby Boomers
Money and Financial Planning for Baby Boomers
You are reading from the blog: http://baby-boomer-retirement.blogspot.com
Photo of carpenter courtesy of www.morguefile.com
More great suggestions for employment ideas. Well written!
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