Showing posts with label jobs for seniors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jobs for seniors. Show all posts

Friday, May 21, 2021

Brain Boosting Jobs for Seniors to Keep You Mentally Active

Many retiring Baby Boomers worry about their uncertain future.  They are concerned about having enough money to support their lifestyle for the rest of their lives, and they worry about how they can avoid developing dementia.  The author of this week's guest post has some ideas which will help Baby-Boomers deal with their biggest fears.  Jennifer Scott, our guest poster, has written about how certain types of mentally challenging encore careers can help with both concerns ... meeting your financial needs, while also stimulating your brain.

While there are no guarantees that a retirement job will protect your brain, participating in a variety of activities which are mentally and physically stimulating have been shown to be one way to postpone Alzheimer's Disease and some other types of dementia. 

To learn about other ways to protect your mental function as you age, you will also want to read the book, "The End of Alzheimer's: The First Program to Prevent and Reverse Cognitive Decline."

The guest post is below:

Find Your Second Act in Your Senior Years with these Brain Boosting Jobs

Maybe you picture spending your retirement lying on a beach, or perhaps you prefer a more active retirement, enjoying hiking or biking. You have certainly earned the opportunity for fun and relaxation, but it may be to your advantage to consider finding a part-time job, too. The extra income is nice, but the real reward is in the boost your brain gets from working. Just about anything you set your mind to do can help you stay sharp, but below are some specific suggestions for jobs which will particularly engage your brain.

Explore Digital Opportunities

Between laptops, smartphones, and other digital devices, so much of what we do these days revolves around computers. This is why many of the best part-time job opportunities make use of digital tools. If you want to work for yourself, one way to use computers is by starting your own home-based e-commerce business. We love the drop shipping model for e-commerce because it allows you to sell whatever you choose by having items shipped directly from the manufacturer to your customers. Going this route minimizes your startup costs because it eliminates the need to have a traditional storefront or invest in inventory.

The best plan for success is to choose a product category which you really care about, but the great thing about using drop shipping is that there are countless products you can choose from. If you are into fashion, you can sell clothing and accessories, or if you love technology, you could go with tech gadgets such as cell phones and other electronics.  There are several online companies which will help you get started.  Before you select one, be sure to check out their rating with the Better Business Bureau and do a Google search to see if you find complaints about them.  Once you are satisfied, you just need  to find a way to promote the products through your email contacts, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or other social media. 

Should you decide to start your own business, there are many things you will need to do to ensure that everything stays on the up and up. For example, you may need to register your business with the state, which involves learning the specific guidelines and regulations that you will need to follow. Also, you may need to set up payroll if you have any employees, which could happen if you business grows quickly.

What is payroll, and how do I do it? Simply put, it is the process of correctly paying people for the work they do. Although this sounds simple on the surface, it actually involves a number of steps, including actually cutting paychecks and ensuring that the payroll taxes and financial records are handled correctly and accurately.  You can easily learn how to do it, however, using a program like Quicken, or you could hire a company to handle this service for you.  Before you worry about employees, of course, you first need to get your home business off the ground.

If e-commerce isn’t your thing, you can still make use of digital technology to do a variety of jobs from home and even use skills from your previous job. For example, if you are a retired teacher, you could become an online tutor, or if you have administrative skills, you could become a virtual assistant. Once again, you need to check with the Better Business Bureau and do a Google search to make sure you are dealing with a legitimate company.  There are some good ones, but there are also scams. You do not want to start off your retirement by getting scammed. 

The underlying benefit from all of these ideas is that they require you to make use of your knowledge while also learning new things so you stay at the top of your game.  The more new things you learn, whether it is how to do payroll or how to improve your other skills, the more your mind will be challenged and the more likely you will be able to postpone signs of dementia.

Engage in Arts and Literature

According to the National Institute on Aging, research has shown that one of the best ways to preserve your memory as a senior is to learn something new. If you love hands-on activities, put this concept into action by learning a new craft. As you hone your skills, you can find opportunities to monetize your work, such as selling your wares at festivals.

Along with crafts and other visual arts, music is another art form which has amazing brain benefits. If you know how to play an instrument, look into providing lessons as a part-time job. Another ideal job for seniors is to work at local arts events. If you have a local theater, ballet, or symphony, you could work as an usher. After all, this is an excellent way to gain exposure to all kinds of arts and make money while doing it!

For those who have a passion for literature, AARP lists working as a library assistant as one of the best jobs for seniors. Working in a library requires the mental exercise of cataloging books and answering questions. Plus, interacting with the public keeps you socially engaged, and research has shown that social activity may help fight off dementia.

Get Outside and Be Active

You may be surprised to find that being physically active is just as important as mental activity in keeping your brain strong. Of course, you don’t have to be a professional athlete to make money being active! If you love animals, look into starting a business as a dog walker. Or, if you love the outdoors, Southern Living suggests working as a park ranger.

The great thing about these ideas is that they are as fun as they are beneficial, so you don’t have to sacrifice your hard-earned time doing something you don’t like. This is why seniors have nothing to lose by getting back into the workforce. You can discover new joys and strengthen your brain, and the paycheck will be like icing on the cake!

For more great job ideas, read "The Encore Career Handbook: How to Make a Living and a Difference in the Second Half of Life."


You can find gifts for retirees and others at my Etsy Store, DeborahDianGifts:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/DeborahDianGifts

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If you are interested in learning more about retirement, Medicare, Social Security, common medical issues as we age, financial planning, where to retire and more, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of the page to find links to hundreds of additional helpful articles.

Disclosure: This blog may contain affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase from an Amazon ad, I'll make a small commission to support this blog, at no extra cost to you.

You are reading from the blog:  http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

Photo credit: Pixabay

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

How to Find Jobs Late in Life

Many people nearing retirement age will need to keep working until they are in their 60s or 70s in order to have enough money to support themselves and their families.  However, sometimes people lose their jobs in their 50s, or they work in physically demanding jobs and know their bodies will not be able to take the punishment much longer.  What can people do when they need to change jobs late in life?

The good news is that it is quite possible to find new careers or less physically demanding jobs as you age. My husband and I have known a number of people who have started new careers in their later years.  For those who are having difficulty finding a new job on their own, there are many special programs to help them.

How to Find an Job After 50

Whether you are looking for a new job because you are no longer physically able to handle your current one, or because you were fired or laid off, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, you may believe you are getting too old to find another career.  Some people talk themselves into the idea that no one will hire them after they have reached a certain age. However, you may be pleasantly surprised to know there are more opportunities than you realize, if you know where to find them.  Below is a list of organizations which could make your job search a little easier.
 
Jooble.org - This is a job search engine created for a single purpose: To help you find the job of your dreams! When you perform a search with Jooble, you'll get links to job postings from more than 22,305 different job sites throughout the USA that are the most relevant to your search terms. Jooble is created to save you time and energy, enabling you to find your desired job from a single query. Jooble's operation features work in the same way as any other search engine operates. Jooble does not compile all the information in its own database, but searches it out and does this much better other search engine you might use to hunt for jobs.

BankWork$ - This is a free training program which teaches people of all ages how to become bank tellers and customer-service reps.  They will also help you polish your resume and find a job.  
 
Department of Labor Job Centers - The Department of Labor operates over 2,000 American Job Centers which are committed to helping workers of all ages who either want to be re-trained or find a new job.  These centers are also called CareerOneStop.
 
The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) - Although the Department of Labor program mentioned above is for people of all ages, SCSEP is specifically for unemployed people ages 55 and older who have low household incomes.  The program participants are paid the minimum wage while they get experience working for nonprofits and public institutions.  SCSEP is affiliated with the National Council on Aging (NCOA).  You can get more information on the NCOA website at https://www.ncoa.org/economic-security/matureworkers/scsep/ 

AARP Back to Work 50+ - This AARP program works with community colleges, nonprofit partners and workforce boards to help people over the age of 55 who do not qualify for SCSEP because their household income is too high.  You can call (855) 850-2525 for more information about the program.

Where Else Can You Find Help Getting a New Job?

If you have explored the above organizations, but are interested in seeing what other options are available in your community, here are a few additional ideas to help you find a new career, even if you are 55 or older.

Attend job fairs in your community - They may lead you to jobs you never considered ... either full or part-time, permanent or temporary. A wide variety of jobs can often be found at these local events.

Apply to your local community college - Local colleges frequently offer training programs and job placement assistance with businesses in the community.  Many of them offer training which meets the specific needs of factories, industries and businesses in your town.

Contact local unions and trade associations about job opportunities - At the very least, these organizations can often put you in touch with job training and apprenticeship programs.

Visit your neighborhood senior center - Senior centers not only hire senior citizens themselves, but they often know of job opportunities for retirees in your area.
 
You may also want to read "The 2-Hour Job Search: Using Technology to Get the Right Job Faster." It contains many resources to help you. 

Most important, do not give up your job search.  There are opportunities available, even for people in their 60s and 70s. Go to local retail stores and other businesses and politely ask to fill out an application, just as you did when you were younger.  Look for help-wanted ads in the newspaper and online. You need to keep searching until you find the opportunity which is right for you.  Remember, you have a lifetime of skills and experience to offer a prospective employer.

If you are interested in learning more about financial planning for retirement, where to retire, common medial issues, changing family relationships after retirement and more, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of the page to find links to hundreds of additional articles.
 
Disclosure: This blog may contain affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase from an Amazon ad, I'll make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

You are reading from the blog:  http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

Photo courtesy of morguefile.com

Sunday, September 15, 2013

More People Working After Age 65

Our concept of retirement has changed drastically over the past few years.  In fact, some people don't seem to be retiring at all ... and certainly not at the traditional age of 65.  The local newspaper for our retirement community, "The Laguna Woods Globe," reported this week that by 2019 approximately one in five seniors will be working either full or part-time after the age of 65.  Already, the number of workers in that age group has increased from 4.5 million to 7.5 million in the past ten years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.  That's a whopping 60% increase in a decade!

Reasons Why Seniors are Working Longer

The article in "The Laguna Woods Globe" listed several reasons for this increase in the number of senior citizens who are still working, and I have added a few more reasons we have heard from some of the retirees we know who still work.

First, many Baby Boomers have not done a good job of retirement planning.  As a result, they are unable to survive on their low Social Security benefits, yet they have no savings to provide additional income.  Their only solution is to keep working as long as they possibly can.  The extra years of work also increases the size of their Social Security payments, so the benefits from working longer can help in several ways.

Second, even when people have saved some money towards their retirement, they may not have expected to enjoy such a long life expectancy after retirement.   When I was young, we were told that the average life expectancy was 72, which meant we only anticipated living a decade or less after we retired.  As I got older, life expectancy increased to 78.  Now that I am in my 60's, I have read that the average life expectancy can be as high as age 88 for people who are healthy at age 65.  That means you may need enough savings to last 25 to 30 years after retirement ... and even more if there is a lot of longevity in your family.  Many people who thought they were prepared for retirement are discovering that they failed to save enough.

Third, a number of companies that used to provide pensions to their employees have reduced or eliminated this benefit.  People who thought they would be able to live off the combination of their pension and Social Security may have much less retirement income than they expected.

Fourth, boredom is another reason for continuing to work past the traditional retirement age.  Some people use this time of life to pursue a career that they always dreamed of ... like becoming a blogger!  Others may continue to work part-time in their former careers, such as becoming a substitute teacher or business consultant. 

Fifth, many Baby Boomers are still healthy and they simply do not want to sit at home.  They would rather work and use the extra money to travel and have fun.  As one person in my local newspaper said, she doesn't need the money, but it sure "comes in handy."

Finally, sometimes seniors are involved in meaningful careers that they do not want to give up.  Many actors and religious leaders, such as the priests in the above picture, continue to work long past the traditional retirement age.  A nun I know is almost 80, yet she still travels all over the world leading spiritual retreats.  I have attended a few of her retreats, and she is still very energetic and a dynamic speaker.  One of the women in my bookclub is married to a physician.  She says he intends to work as long as he possibly can, because he believes that what he is doing contributes to society and he enjoys it.  Isn't that the best reason of all to keep working past age 65?  My own husband is still working, even though he is almost 69.  He really loves his job!

If you plan to work past age 65, I would love to hear the reason you made that decision.  Please feel free to mention it in the comments section of this article.

Meanwhile, if you are doing your retirement planning, you may be interested in reading some of the other articles from this blog.  They are listed alphabetically by topic with links in the the index articles listed below:

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 Retirement

You are reading from the blog:  http://baby-boomer-retirement.blogspot.com

Photo of elderly priests is courtesy of www.morguefile.com

Source of Statistics:

"Working Late," Laguna Woods Globe by the Orange County Register, August 29, 2013.


Thursday, August 1, 2013

Best Companies Offering Jobs for Seniors

Many Baby Boomers are nearing retirement age, only to find themselves unemployed or underemployed at the very time when they planned to continue to work and postpone retirement as long as possible.  If Boomers hope to have a comfortable retirement, most of them need to wait until their mid to late 60's before they collect their Social Security and pension benefits.  However, if someone is unemployed in their early 60's, or barely scraping by in a low paying job, they may begin to feel that they have no other alternative but to give up and take an early retirement.

If this describes your situation, it may help to know that AARP and the Society for Human Resource Management has put together a list of companies that have been recognized as having the best practices for recruiting and retaining mature workers ... those of us who are over the age of 50.

The companies on the list were chosen because they have fair recruiting practices, opportunities for their employees to receive special training, educational assistance and career development, a willingness to put in place workplace accommodations, excellent health, pension and retirement benefits, and a variety of work options including flexible scheduling, job-sharing and phased retirement.  In other words, not only are these great places to work, but they are accommodating about transitioning their employees gradually into retirement.

The Healthcare Industry Has Some of the Best Jobs for Baby Boomers

Insurance companies and healthcare facilities seem to lead the pack as far as offering excellent opportunities for people over the age of 50.  The good news about this field is that many community colleges and trade schools across the nation offer one and two year certification programs to train people to work in a variety of healthcare fields.  Consequently, if you find yourself years away from retirement and you are willing to be retrained, this may be an excellent area for you to pursue.  Over 40 percent of the companies on the AARP list were involved in some aspect of healthcare.

Listed below are the employers who were particularly commended by AARP for their senior friendly employment practices:

National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Scripps Health
Atlantic Health
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Mercy Health System
WellStar Health System
West Virginia University Hospitals
Monongalia General Hospital
TriHealth Inc.
Yale-New Haven Hospital
Department of Veterans Affairs-Veterans Health Administration
Saint Vincent Health System
SSM Health Care
Mountain States Health Alliance
Central Florida Health Alliance
Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center
Tufts Health Plan
BlueCross and BlueShield of North Carolina
Ochsner Health System
Massachusetts General Hospital
Pinnacle Health System

If you do not live within commuting distance of one of the above institutions, but you would like to work in the healthcare industry, contact the human resources departments at the insurance companies, hospitals and medical facilities in your community and ask about the opportunities they may have for older workers.

Universities and Colleges

Other organizations that offered great job prospects for people over the age of 50 were institutions of higher learning.  While you may be thinking, "I'm not qualified to be a college professor," universities offer many other types of job opportunities including with their custodial, food services and clerical staffs. Many of these jobs pay well and have good job security.

Here is the list of educational institutions that were recognized by AARP for their great employment opportunities for seniors:

West Virginia University
Cornell University
George Mason University
Swarthmore College
School Board of Brevard County
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
University of Pittsburgh
American University

Even if you do not live near one of the institutions mentioned about, if you have another college or university in your community, don't forget to check out their employment opportunities when you are looking for a new job.

Best Private Corporate Employers of Seniors

The AARP and the Society for Human Resource Management also included a variety of private companies in several different industries on their list.  If you live near one of these companies you may also wish to explore your employment options with one of them:

The YMCA of Greater Rochester, New York
Bon Secours Virginia
National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
S&T Bank
FCCI Insurance Group
Stanley Consultants Inc.
Southern Company
Michelin North America Inc.
Cianbro Corporation
Solix Inc.
Securian Financial Group
One Nevada Credit Union
MEI Technologies, Inc.
Coconino County
Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind
Lee County Electric Cooperative
Perkins Cole LLP
CheapCaribbean.com

Federal Agencies that Made the List

There were also a few federal government and regulatory agencies that made the AARP list, in addition to the Veteran's Administration and National Institutes of Health, mentioned above:

Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)

Whatever your background, there may be companies in your area that are looking for someone with your skill levels.  Whether you are looking for full-time work or the best part-time jobs for seniors, you will want to pay particular attention to hospitals, colleges, universities, insurance companies, utility companies, federal offices and financial services employers in your community.  These seem to be the types of institutions that have the best attitude towards hiring older workers.

Sources:
  
http://www.aarp.org/work/employee-benefits/info-09-2009/how_best_employers_selected.html
http://www.aarp.org/work/on-the-job/info-06-2013/aarp-best-employers-winners-2013.html

If you are currently making your own retirement plans, you may also want to check out the index articles listed below.  Each one contains an introduction plus links to a number of articles on that topic:

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 Retirement


You are reading from the blog:  http://baby-boomer-retirement.blogspot.com

Photo of National Institutes of Health courtesy of wikipedia commons: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:NIH_Clinical_Research_Center_aerial.jpg

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Popular Part-time Jobs For Retirees

One way to stretch our retirement income is with a part-time job.  Not only does it help retirees afford a higher quality of life, but it is also a pleasant way to stay connected to other people.  Because part-time work is becoming so common,  AARP recently came out with their list of five great part-time jobs for retirees.

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

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Part-time Retirement Jobs for Baby Boomers

As 10,000 Baby Boomers a day turn 65, many of them are concerned about how to make ends meet after retirement.  If your Social Security benefits will not provide all the income you need, and your savings have been depleted because of stock market losses or high medical bills, one post-retirement option is to get a part-time job.

Part-Time Jobs Can Make Retirement Easier

Most retirees hope to relax, enjoy their retirement years, and have fun once they begin to collect Social Security. This does not mean that you can't have a part-time job at the same time.  In fact, if you find a retirement job that you enjoy, you will see it as one more way to keep involved with the outside world and have fun in your retirement years.  The extra money will also reduce your financial stress and make it easier for you to travel or indulge yourself in other ways.

After Your Full Retirement Age You Can Work and Collect Social Security Simultaneously!

The good news about working after retirement is that, once you reach your full retirement age of about age 66 to 67, you can collect your full Social Security benefits AND work at the same time, without a reduction in your benefits.  For many people, this means that the combination of a part-time job with their Social Security benefits will earn them an income equal to what they had been earning by working full-time before they retired.  In this way, you will not need to reduce your standard of living, even though you cut back on the amount of hours you spend working each week!  How's that for a cheerful thought?

In addition, if you had some low-earning years in the past 35 years that you worked, your new job could actually replace those low-earning years in your Social Security calculations, resulting in higher Social Security benefits!

What Type of Part-Time Job Should You Get?

One way to choose a part-time job is to look carefully at what you are doing now.  Would you enjoy your current job more if you were able to cut back your hours and only work part-time?  Many people chose their current careers because they found them interesting.  However, as they have gotten older, the physical and emotional toll of working full-time may be too much for people in their 60's.  If your present employer will allow you to work part-time in your current position or a similar one, you may have found a great way to ease the transition into retirement.

If this is not acceptable to your current employer, you might be able to go to work for a similar company in your area.  Your experience could be of benefit to many smaller companies that cannot afford many full-time employees.

Why Not Try Something New?

On the other hand, you may want to do something entirely different.  Perhaps you have always dreamed of working in a little clothing boutique, an art gallery, a flower shop or a hardware store.  If so, this is the time in your life when you can indulge those dreams. Contact some businesses in your area, and apply for jobs.  If you have been working most of your life, you may have skills that small business owners will really appreciate.  Many companies appreciate responsible employees with a consistent job record and lots of experience.

AARP Suggestions for Jobs That are in Demand

If you aren't sure what kind of part-time job would work best for you, you may want to look at this list of suggestions from AARP.com.  According to them, these are examples of the best part-time job for workers over the age of 50:

Library Assistants
Bookkeepers
Home Care Aides
Handymen
Medical Assistants
Teacher's Aides
Bloggers
Youth Coaches / Umpires / Referees
Tour Guides and Tour Bus Drivers
Convention Center Jobs

As I looked over this list, I realized that I have actually held two of the part-time jobs after I reached full retirement age.  I worked for several years as a Special Education Teacher's Aide.  In addition, I am a blogger, and plan to continue blogging as long as I can move my fingers over the keyboard!  It's good to know that AARP considers these both good examples of post-retirement jobs.

More Ideas for Retirement Jobs

I recently wrote another article based on the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and their suggestions for jobs that will be in high demand in the coming decade.  It also contains ideas for how to use the talents and experience you already have to supplement your income.  Here is a link to that supplemental article:

Second Careers for Baby Boomers

If you are looking for a part-time retirement job or ideas for a second career, you will definitely want to read this article.

How to Find Retirement Jobs

Ask around among your friends and neighbors.  Our retirement community, for example, hires many of the residents to work as gate guards, office workers, bus drivers and security people.  Most of them only work two to four shifts a week, with each shift about four to six hours long.  These part-time jobs get residents out of their homes and gives them something to look forward to.  They earn an extra $500 - $1000 a month while getting to know their neighbors.  In addition, it helps our community, which has been listed as one of the safest small towns in our state!  When our community hires its own residents, it is a win-win situation for everyone.

If you are looking for more information to help Baby Boomers with their retirement planning, including where to retire, financial help, common health issues, changing family relationships and more, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of the page to find links to hundreds of additional articles.

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Sunday, June 3, 2012

Second Careers for Baby Boomers

During the 2007 recession, many Baby Boomers were forced into retirement sooner than they had planned.  While the employment picture has improved substantially since that time, a significant number of newly retired Boomers are discovering that it is difficult to survive on Social Security alone. 

As a result, retirees of all ages are frequently open to second careers and new business opportunities.  Going back to work in a new occupation that excites and interests you may be the best way to maintain a comfortable lifestyle, even if you have had to downsize and cut back over the past few years.

Baby Boomers often have experience, training and a history of being responsible that makes us desirable employees in many of the fields where there is still job growth.  We have the ability to compete successfully with new college graduates.  If you are planning to retrain for a second career and need a few ideas, listed below are the areas where you might find good job opportunities, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections:

Retail Sales

There is still a large demand for retail sales people working in businesses that range from department stores to auto dealerships.  In fact, one good item of economic news is that U.S. auto sales are continuing to be strong in 2015.  If you are interested in sales, this can be an excellent choice for experienced Baby Boomers and great job opportunities may be as close as your local mall or auto dealership.  Are you under 65 and need affordable health insurance through an employer that pays most of the cost?  Consider working for Starbucks.  They take pride in the fact that they offer health insurance to any employees that work at least 20 hours a week.

Health Care

You do not need to plan on becoming a doctor or registered nurse in order to benefit from the growth in the health care industry.  By attending a community college or vocational school for one or two years, you can complete a certificate program as a medical assistant, nursing aide, vocational nurse, medical technician or medical secretary.  Home health aides require only a few weeks of training, and many Baby Boomers already have had life experience caring for an elderly person in their home.  This makes them a more desirable employee in many cases than a young adult would be.

Childcare Workers

Because so many women need to work in order to help their families financially, there is a tremendous need for childcare workers.  Some older people have opened childcare services in their homes; others work for preschools; still others have become bonded babysitters, working through a babysitting service.

Accounting or Tax Preparation

A number of people who worked as accountants or bookkeepers before retirement may discover that there are opportunities for them to freelance in these same businesses during a period of semi-retirement. Check with job listings in your area, or approach local businesses and see if they have a need for a part-time bookkeeper or accountant.

If you would like to work part of the year, you can also be trained to be a tax preparer.  Contact H&R Block or other tax preparation companies in your area to find out about their training programs. 

Substitute Teachers

In some states, substitute teachers in public schools are required to have a college degree, but not necessarily in education.  You may have to pass a state examination to get an emergency credential or meet other requirements.  However, this can be a high paying part-time job.

If you are not qualified to work in the public school system in your state, check with private schools or pre-schools, both of which have more freedom in choosing their substitute teachers.

Other School Jobs

Many retirees who have worked in the past in other occupations have found that it is very rewarding to work as school bus drivers or crossing guards.  Others find part-time work as teacher's aides.  If you want to work with children and possibly earn credit towards a small state pension in the future, it could be very beneficial to work at a school in your community.

Pet Groomers and Trainers

Do you have a way with animals?  You might enjoy working part-time as a pet groomer.  Another possibility is to advertise your pet training services in your local newspaper.  Offer classes in pet behavior or provide private training.

Share Your Talent with Others

If you are an artist, enjoy making crafts, sewing or can work with wood, you may be able to make gift items and sell them at local fairs and festivals.  You might also give lessons to others.  In either case, it can be a fun way to earn a little extra money.  

Public Service

If you have spent years doing volunteer work in your community, you may want to check with Encore.org about job opportunities with non-profit organizations in your community and around the world.  Even people in their 70's can join the Peace Corp.  You may also want to work with Teach For America or a wide variety of non-profit organizations in your neighborhood.   The pay may be low when you work for a non-profit, but the emotional rewards can be great.

There are Opportunities all Around You

Although you may have retired sooner than you planned during the "Great Recession," it is possible that you may find a new career that will help you make your Golden Years a little more golden.  Any of these jobs can provide you with a little extra income and could even add to your pension or Social Security benefits.

If you are interested in learning more about financial planning for retirement, where to retire, health issues that could arise and changing family relationships, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of the page to find links to hundreds of additional useful articles.

You are reading from the blog: http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

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