For Fun Or Profit, 8 Careers To Pad Your Time And Savings Post-Retirement

While retirement may mark the finish line for some nine-to-fivers, that is not always the case. Whether it is the uncertainty of surrounding the longevity of your savings or the desire to remain active and connected with the workaday world, finding a late-stage career is becoming a more common phenomenon.

According to a report by Bloomberg, nearly 20 percent of Americans who are 65 or older are still working. That same report broke down that statistic, showing that 60 percent of those surveyed said they were working because they needed the extra money, while 36 percent responded that they chose to continue working because they enjoyed it.

Whatever the reason, more and more people of retirement age are in the workforce, and knowing how to find work and the careers to consider could make working past retirement a fulfilling experience.

This helpful graphic from Distinctive Documents could help put you on a new, post-retirement career track while you consider these 8 unique job options that are popular among retirees.

Handyman

If you know your way around a wrench, saw horse or sump pump, you could be a hot commodity in your community. Whether you find work helping a particular company or business cover some of their overhead expenses or you just know a few people who need some work done around the house, advertising your particular trade through local advertisements or online marketplaces like craigslist could help you generate some extra scratch. However, be sure to apply for a state trade certification if you plan on tackling any jobs that require a license such as plumbing or electrical work.

Craftworker

If your post-retirement plans are more artistic, creating woodwork, jewelry or decorative crafts can be a fun and profitable way of merging a newfound hobby with a post-retirement career. There are number of avenues to sell these items, like local events, public markets, or online at sites like etsy.

Bookkeeper Or Tax Preparer

Tax season is always right around the corner. If you spent your life working around tax codes and a calculator, and if your can get hold of a CPA license, you could use your numerical acumen working freelance or by setting up a home tax consultancy.

Tour Guide

Know some local history? Have some interesting facts about the architecture? Have a favorite state park nearby? If you're a retiree, chances are good you have some novel facts or insights that you could impart unto others as a tour guide. You can get started by visiting your state's tourist bureau to find popular destinations that may just be in the market for a seasonal guide.

Research Assistant

For academics and knowledge lovers, local colleges are always seeking people with a hungry mind and keen research skills to aid faculty in summarizing and indexing research material. Many of these positions are in specialized disciplines, so finding an area that you may have experience with may be tricky. But if you love learning and want to stay current on the breaking developments in a particular field, this is a career to look into.

Tutor

Tutoring is another avenue to consider if you have lifelong experience in a specific field or specialization. Tutoring offers a flexible schedule and the opportunity to pass along your personal experience to someone just beginning to learn about it. There are many online resources to market yourself, like Tutor.com and Skooli, some of which also provide online and remote tutoring tools.

Sporting Event Usher

This is one way to never miss a game. If you are a die-hard sports fan, professional and minor league stadiums and arenas are typically eager to hire seasonal workers to guide visitors to their seats and around the facility.

Pet Sitter

Pet ownership has a lot of rewards, but also plenty of drawbacks, and planning what to do with scruffy while on vacation is one of them. If you love pets and have the time and space to properly care for them, you could offer your services as a pet sitter for those looking to forego kennels for a more personalized option when boarding their four-legged friend.

Whether planning for a post-career career is a necessity or a hobby, you should keep your skills and interests in mind and consult with your financial advisor if you do end up researching ways to earn a little extra money to pad your retirement plans.