Call it the Great Unretirement. Millions of Americans who are of retirement age are still working. According to one recent analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data, 22% of people aged 65 or older are still clocking hours professionally, with almost one in four of those being self-employed.
The reasons for working past age 65 can vary: The desire to stay engaged and challenged is one; the realities of needing to bring in income to keep pace with inflation and rising expenses is another.
No matter what your motivation, there are opportunities for seniors to work, including home-based ones. Here, learn about some of the most popular career paths to pursue later in life, from the privacy and comfort of your home.
11 Work-at-Home Jobs for Retirees
Consider these 11 work-at-home jobs for seniors; one or more may suit your skills and interests. Hours will vary, depending on how much time you have available and how much demand there is. Given that these are online jobs, you will probably need your own computer and headset or earbuds. Some companies may provide workers with tech gear.
1. Instructor
The online learning industry is booming: It’s expected to grow 20% year over year from now through 2030. Being an online instructor can therefore be a fast-growing job opportunity, too.
Almost anything you’ve mastered can be turned into an online course: baking, strength training, or traveling on the cheap. Whether it’s a hobby or a profession, you might be able to convert it to profit in an online course that students can purchase. Sites like Teachable and Coursera allow would-be teachers to set up an account and create courses that could provide passive income for years.
• Median pay: $30.33/hour
• Qualifications: Will depend on what you are teaching; in some cases, simply your own experience and knowledge is enough. In others, you may need credentials, such as post-grad degrees or proven success in a particular realm (whether gardening or fundraising).
2. Consultant
Using the skills you cultivated during your career can be a wise way to earn money when you’re a senior. If you happen to have years of experience in a field such as business or design, taking on clients as a consultant can be a great way to share your expertise and bring in income. Sites like LinkedIn and Indeed can also help, allowing you to search for job opportunities by location, contract status, and experience level.
• Median pay: $47.73
• Qualifications: You’ll need to show that you are qualified to advise on a topic based on a track record of business success. Using your professional and personal network to find clients can also be important.
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3. Tutor
If you have the skills to teach but don’t want to do all the back-end work of creating and selling a course, look for jobs tutoring online. Tutors are hired not only by U.S. schools, individuals, and companies but also by international ones, making it potentially a flexible and lucrative path.
• Median pay: $18.80
• Qualifications: These will vary with the opportunity. Some people may be able to tutor simply based on having deep knowledge of a topic or having aced a subject in school. Others may require teaching licenses and credentials.
4. International English Teacher
The more interconnected the world becomes, the more important it is for people around the world to be able to speak a common language. If you are a native English speaker or if you speak English really well, you may qualify to teach English to students around the world. For this role, you’ll likely need to get a certificate, but once you are qualified, you can apply for jobs teaching online or even set up your own business.
How much you earn as a teacher can depend on whether you are teaching individuals or working with a larger agency, which may have deeper pockets.
• Median pay: $26
• Qualifications: These will vary. Some people in more informal settings may not need credentials. Otherwise, it can be vital to have a valid state teaching license and either a TEFL or CELTA certificate, reflecting that you are trained and ready to teach English to others.
5. Customer Support Agent
Customer support agents work with a business’ clients on the phone, through a chat function, on social media, or even through email to address questions. They typically help customers with things like making returns, processing exchanges, and resolving billing problems.
Agents must have good communication skills, empathy, solid problem-solving skills, and enough technical aptitude to use the company’s customer support system.
• Median pay: $18.80
• Qualifications: Depending on the job, you may need prior customer service experience. Typically, companies will offer training.
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6. Technical Support Agent
This role is similar to customer support, except you will be solving customers’ technical issues, often with a device, a website, or an app. For example, the customer might need help changing their billing address on an app they use, or they could require guidance on using software they bought. You will need some technical know-how, but often companies train employees and provide a knowledge database for them to use to help resolve customer problems.
• Median pay: $21.13
• Qualifications: Varies depending on the company doing the hiring. It is common for businesses to train their agents to know the ins and outs of their product or service so they can help clients.
7. Travel Agent
Booking travel may seem to be a self-service online task these days, but there are still plenty of travel businesses that need employees. These might include travel companies that work with corporate clients or medical centers that help patients with travel logistics. Some of these hire and train individuals to manage travel booking.
Also, if you have expertise in a certain kind of travel (such as multigenerational travel to Disney properties or budget travel), you might be able to offer travel agent services on that front.
Being organized and having good customer service skills is important in this position, and having experience with the intricacies of travel arrangements can help. Some jobs, including more lucrative ones, may require specific credentials or knowledge of travel software.
• Median pay: $20.64
• Qualifications: Will depend upon the job. Some may hire those without specific travel experience but with good people skills; others may want candidates to be a certified travel associate.
8. Virtual Assistant
A virtual assistant tackles all kinds of tasks, from scheduling appointments to writing emails to updating clients’ social media accounts. Virtual assistant jobs can be great part-time gigs for seniors at home because they often only require the skills you already use to manage your own life. If you’re particularly good at management and working with executives, you can snag lucrative clients and really see your retirement earnings soar.
• Median pay: $24
• Qualifications: Will vary depending on the particular job. Some clients may seek prior administrative assistant experience; others may want an individual who is familiar with certain travel booking software.
9. Bookkeeper
Obviously, having experience in the bookkeeping field can be an asset for this role. You can help small business clients who don’t have the budget for a full-time bookkeeper or a big accounting firm manage their finances. These businesses could include local restaurants, small shops, or individual medical practitioners.
• Median pay: $24.31
• Qualifications: Some companies will train employees; others will want those who are already familiar with software such as QuickBooks, so it can be wise to train up on your own time. While a degree in business or accounting can be a plus, on-the-job learning may be possible, regardless of your degree.
10. Tax Preparer
Tax preparers can be employed by firms like H&R Block, who train them before tax season, or independently, working directly with clients. A lot of tax preparation is formulaic, but to serve clients well, it is key to be familiar with all the rules that change from year to year.
Also, this tends to be a seasonal job, with crunch time leading up to Tax Day in April.
• Median pay: $18
• Qualifications: As noted, the company you work for may train you in proper practices, and it’s important to keep on top of the latest tax code changes.
11. Data Entry Specialist
If you can type quickly and have an eye for detail, data entry may be for you. It can be a precise and rote job, putting information into spreadsheets and forms. You can generally land a data entry role without any experience, but if you go for a position in a field where you have expertise — say law, medical records, insurance, or consumer packaged goods — the pay is likely to be higher than elsewhere. That can help pad out your savings account or pay bills.
• Median pay: $20
• Qualifications: As noted, jobs may be available without related experience.
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Spotting a Scam
As with all things online, there’s always a possibility that something may not be quite as it seems, and that includes online job postings. Remote working opportunities are especially susceptible to fraud because everything is typically conducted digitally, via email and Zoom, so you don’t know if the person really is who they claim to be. Sadly, there are a substantial number of scams that target seniors.
As you look for remote opportunities, be cautious of listings that seem too good to be true. Offering a generous amount of money for very little work or requiring payment before work can begin are red flags. So too are job offers that involve an upfront overpayment for you to purchase supplies. Investigating opportunities thoroughly and familiarizing yourself with the latest job-related scams can help prevent you from being victimized. No one wants to have to recover from being scammed.
The Takeaway
Opportunities for seniors and retirees to beef up their savings and retirement investments through remote online work are abundant and varied. It may be necessary to spend some time searching to find gigs that tap your interests and skills and offer a suitable schedule and pay. Some jobs might include bookkeeper, tutor, and travel agent.
And when you do find the perfect remote gig to supplement your retirement income, find the right bank to partner with for storing, spending, and saving your funds.
Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.
FAQ
Are there any work-from-home jobs for seniors that don’t require upfront costs?
Yes, most legitimate work-from-home jobs do not require upfront costs. Many companies will train employees. In fact, the request for upfront costs could signal that you are dealing with a scam vs. a legitimate job opportunity.
How much would a retiree expect to make while working from home?
The pay scale for remote work for retirees can vary tremendously. Many jobs pay around $20 an hour, though some offer less compensation. Opportunities that require specialized qualifications can pay significantly more.
What are some good work-from-home jobs for seniors?
There are an array of work-from-home jobs for seniors, such as being a business consultant, tutor, tax preparer, or customer service representative.
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