Post retirement work: what are your options?

Duplicate post.

@MaryKathleen below suggested:

"What did you do before? Maybe go back into that field."

That makes sense because it would be where one's experience and training is.

There are a couple of problems: 1) being out of the workforce means a person's skills might be rusty; and, 2) ageism and skepticism as to why the person has been out of the workforce.

These things might help:

1) brush up your skills in some targeted way
2) demonstrate your willingness and ability to work by volunteering or creating a useful website.

Probably contracting as a temp worker makes more sense than seeking an FTE position once one is ready with something.

Everyone I know that retired has gone back to work.  Combination of boredom and not enough money.  I have witnessed that if you aren't an extremely active person and have enough money nestled way to accommodate your activities, it just doesn't pan out.  Having a "purpose" is also a big thing for folks.  Having no reason to get up, no where to be and no reason to go to bed is not a good thing mentally.  Maybe part time work somewhere and/or volunteering could help.  I don't know what your health situation is, but signing up for a fund raising 5k walk and then training for it with friends or spouse would give you a goal to work towards.  Not sure if you are into gardening, but you could plan a garden on paper, order the seeds and get everything ready for the right season.  If you are into pets, you could volunteer or work at a shelter.  You could advertise to be a dog sitter.  With everything being computerized, it is hard to be out of the workforce and then try to reenter when you're older.  Not saying it can't be done, but would take concerted effort.  Just use your imagination and think outside the box.

I'm still reading and considering all options that are suggested.  I never actually expected such a good response, so I'm kind of overwhelmed in figuring out to answer each of your for your thoughtful suggestions.

Thanks again!

you could check into working at a nursery (for garden stuff), a landscaping place.  depending on your age (?) you could do different things.  find something that might interest you.  If you like being around people, go to a local department store and ask to work in the department you like best (if that is available)......or just get a job anywhere that is hiring and do the best you can. wishing you luck.  I am sure it is very tight for some people.........

Dh is going to retire in 7 months, the day after I turn 65 :) His plan is to take a couple months of time off and then return to the same company as a contract worker. Our son is an attorney and is working on the contract 'legality' b/c it is going to be a job that pays him easily twice what he makes now. He is LITERALLY the only person left in this company that can do the things he does. Obviously, the co. never thought to TRAIN some other people to do the specialty stuff DH does..but I think they thought he'd never, ever retire.

I can, and do crafts that I usually don't charge for, but will start doing so...we actually have plenty to retire on, it's really NOT about the money for us, it's for the using our time wisely and for something to do.


I never worked FT for any great 'career' length of time, but the jobs I had were in CG and schools (I would no more substitute teach these days than fly to the moon!!)... I am craft and have sold a bit of my crafting. I did counted cross stitch pictures last year for my kids---the one I did for my son and his wife is worth $500 on ebay---and they didn't like it and threw it away!!! It took me a full month to do...guess I am still mad at them. I had cancer and sitting and cross stitching was a good time-killer.

My Dh was counseled that before he retired he have 4 things to occupy him: 1 was a money maker, even if it was minimum wage, 2 was a service based 10-15 hrs per week, 3 was exercise of some kind ad 4 was a group thing--like golf.

I'd like him to learn how to cook a simple meal and clean up after himself. Besides bacon and eggs with all the grease involved!! Also how to do laundry, vacuum, make a bed and 'pick up' a room.

His comment to me that when he retired, so would I elicited hilarious laughter among my 4 daughters and me. Just the WFH for the last 11 months has taught me he is one messy, messy guy. My workload will almost double when he retires!

I think being an Uber driver might be a perfect fit for him, but his driving record is awful....

If you do crafts, could you teach others, perhaps at a senior center? I'm 72 and professor emeritus, which means I teach part time now. It is enough money with social security to live on and with the college being remote now, I realize how stressful commuting was for me. I like staying at home. When on campus teaching begins again, I'm thinking to teach online classes, which I hate, but it will be an income. Other than that, I have people wanting to take private classes from me, but I also hate that, as I feel my precious studio space gets invaded by energy I don't always like. I, too, am facing time I may not be able to support myself, since I need to keep my little bit of savings aside for eventual health needs. My painting sales bring in enough to pay for paint and brushes and all else it costs me to be professional and do this one thing I absolutely must or go nuts.

GardenArtist, I remember your professional background and that type of work knowledge stays with you almost forever. Check around and see if any firms are looking for an "on call" expert, which could lead to part-time or full-time work.

I remember when I had been out of work for almost a year due to my then boss "the Devil Wear Proda", I kid you not, she was like the main character in that movie. I got a call from an owner of a real estate company who remember me from the past and was hoping I was available for an interview.. It was a win-win. Here I was 64 doing the happy dance. Worked ten more years, and learned new set of real estate skills for commercial building management, which I really enjoyed !! The tradesmen rather talk to me than my boss :)

So, you never know what will fall into your lap. My sig-other is on his 3rd career which also came out of the blue, when the neighbor across the street was wondering if he would like to work for a non-profit company.

Drone pilot?🚀