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By Sharon Wagner
Special to the Financial Independence Hub
Retirement is your time to relax. You don’t have to report to a full-time job and the kids are all grown up, so it can be tempting to simply kick your feet up and do absolutely nothing. Staying busy during your retirement years will help keep you healthy, however, and is even shown to improve happiness. A part-time job provides a challenge and gives you purpose.
Getting a part-time job also has obvious financial benefits. Many Americans [and Canadians!] fear running out of money in retirement. With a steady income flow, you will have to rely less heavily on savings or pension accounts. You will also have more money to spend on hobbies you enjoy, such as traveling or trying out new restaurants. Discover three part-time jobs for retirees below.
If you love culture: work in a museum
If you have an appreciation for art, a gig at a museum may be the perfect choice for you. Working as a tour guide or customer service rep will require you to interact with visitors regularly. Responsibilities might include handling inquiries, answering questions, and ringing up purchases. You’ll also learn and memorize new facts. Challenging your brain like this is important to stave off the mental decline that may otherwise come with age.
As people age, they also lose muscle mass due to a condition known as sarcopenia. A museum job will require you to be on your feet, standing and walking around, and can fight such decline. Research has further shown that attending cultural events improves health among seniors, resulting in lower blood pressure, for instance. You can scout out possible positions via an online museum job search platform.
If you enjoy working with kids: become a teacher
According to a Stanford University study, both kids and seniors benefit when they come into contact. Older adults who work with kids have been seen to welcome the sense of purpose the interactions give them. The intergenerational relationships also benefit little ones, who can learn from an older person’s life experiences, patience, and emotional stability.
If you like working with children, teaching English as a second language is a great option. It requires intensive interaction and lets you step into the role of educator, which can bring immense emotional rewards as you witness a student’s progress. Study.com explains how you can become a certified ESL teacher, including how to obtain certification.
If you’d prefer to go another route of teaching, becoming a substitute teacher is another excellent option. This means fewer requirements to gain credentials, a more flexible schedule, and better chances of landing teaching gigs quickly. You might also discover a new interest by teaching a particular subject that was at first unfamiliar to you.
If you love spending time outside: give tours in your city
If you’d prefer a job that takes you outdoors, look into tour guide opportunities in your area. Platforms like Tours By Locals allow anyone and everyone to become a guide. You can structure your own tour based on your passions and interests, and meet new people regularly as you impart your knowledge to them. Again, you’ll be keeping mentally and physically active.
These are just a few possibilities when it comes to part-time opportunities for seniors. If you are hesitant about reentering the working world, you can start by pursuing volunteer activities in these fields. The pressure of commitment will be less and you can test out the waters to see which type of endeavor is most fulfilling to you. Taking the time to find a part-time gig you love will enrich your retirement experience.
