5 Best Jobs for Retirees in 2016 Sheiresa Ngo

Retirement | Source: iStock

If you’re nearing retirement but can’t see yourself completely leaving the workforce, whether due to financial necessity or to keep boredom at bay, there are plenty of jobs to consider for your second act. Work doesn’t have to come to a complete stop unless you want it to. There are many opportunities for you to make the most of your retirement while earning an income and making a difference in people’s lives.

If you’re considering the idea of a part-time job after you exit the workforce, you’re not alone. Roughly 54% of older workers (those 60 years of age and older), said they plan to work after retirement, according to CareerBuilder’s 2015 annual retirement survey. This is an increase from 45% the year before.
Career expert Nancy Collamer said work after retirement can be a good time to reinvent your career. “Whether out of necessity, desire, or a combination of the two, it is clear that millions of boomers will soon be looking for ways to reinvent their careers without a traditional 9-to-5 job. We will work during a phase known as semi-retirement—the stage that occurs after the big full-time job ends and before full retirement sets in,” said Collamer in Second-Act Careers: 50+ Ways to Profit from Your Passions During Semi-Retirement.
This time around, you can choose work you enjoy and work on your own terms. Here are some work options that are fun, flexible, and pay the bills.

1. National park worker

Angels Landing in Zion National Park|Source: iStock

Why not see some of the most beautiful parks in the world while making a few quick bucks? If you’re looking for a slower pace and a serene environment, consider taking on a job at one of America’s breathtaking national parks. There are several jobs to choose from, including management, grounds maintenance, food services, and retail. The median salary for a national park service employee is $54,000 annually, according to career site PayScale.

2. Adjunct professor

Teacher and student | Angela Weiss/Getty Images

Put your years of experience to use by teaching an introductory class in your field. Don’t let your level of education hold you back. If you didn’t earn a Ph.D., have no worries. Depending on the area of study, a Ph.D. isn’t always necessary to teach on the college level. Many adjunct professors hold a master’s degree. The median annual salary for an adjunct professor is roughly $31,000. However, PayScale notes that the salaries in big cities like New York and Miami pay bigger bucks. New York adjunct professors, for example, can earn an average of $88,000 a year.

3. Consultant

Businessman | Source: iStock

If you’d rather work on short-term projects instead of staying with one company, consulting may be just right for you. The first place you can go to seek project-based work is your current employer. If you haven’t left the workforce yet, or if you left a while ago but still have contacts at the company, ask if your employer would like to hire you on a freelance basis. This may be the best option since the managers are familiar with you and already know the quality of your work. There are many types of consultants, and the pay will depend on your industry in location. However, the average consultant salary is roughly $92,564 a year, according to career site Glassdoor.

4. Child care worker

Kids eating sandwiches at a party | Source: iStock

If you enjoy being around children, you may want to look into working in the child care field. You could start by offering to take care of your neighbor’s children. You may even consider working at a day care center or starting your own home-based family day care center. The average salary for a child care worker is $9.12 an hour.

5. Freelance writer

Writer | Source: Thinkstock

Working as a freelance writer can give you the freedom to work from home while earning an income. Freelance writers can set their own hours and don’t have to worry about the stress of commuting to the office every day. You can find freelance jobs through word-of-mouth referrals as well as job boards dedicated to freelance writing jobs. The average salary for a freelance writer is about $28.50 per hour.

Culled from Money & Career Cheat Sheet