Jobs for seniors and retirees

Jobs for seniors. There was a time when seniors did not want, did not need to find a job. But that is no longer the case. Many seniors could use some extra income; others just like to work.  They have worked all their lives and...well, they miss it. They miss the structure of having to get up and go to the job. They miss the interaction with co-workers. But finding a job is not always easy when you are an 'older worker'.  

So let's get right to it.  There are only two ways to work when you are 'an older worker'. You can 'get a job' and work for a someone else OR your an work for yourself. And there are real opportunities in both categories. Read on...                                       

Jobs for seniors: working for someone else

There was a time when most companies did not want to employ any over age 50 .  Older workers who had been with a firm for years, often earned higher salaries. New workers were cheaper. Many companies feared increased health care costs with older workers. And in some industries younger workers seemed able to adapt to new technologies more easily that their older peers.

But in recent years many companies have found older workers to be a real asset. These companies appreciate both the experience and  solid work ethic you bring to the job. CEOs and entrepreneurs  search for workers who have both experience and expertise.

click on the link for  a list of companies known for their employment of seniors      

Working for yourself

Jobs for seniors: working for yourself  Many people like the idea of working for themselves.  When you work for yourself you have flexibility. You can often set your own hours.  You can take  time off when you want: visit family, vacation or just take some time to do things at home. Then too, some of  hate the idea of having a boss. We want to be our own boss. The number of retirees working for themselves has been increasing for some time.  If this is what you'd like, consider these ideas:

There are 2 ways to go about working for yourself:

1. You can do some jobs and report the money as personal income when you file your taxes.
2. You can set up a small business (It is easy to get a federal tax id )  But as a business you need to keep track of income and expenses. When you file your income tax, you will file a special section for your business.                                        Suggestion: Talk to an accountant. There are tax benefits in having a business. Many decide to go this route in their jobs for seniors because of these tax benefits.  It is worth talking to an accountant before you start,  if you are serious about self employment.                                                                                      

But the BIGGER question may be what sort of jobs for seniors would be good for you? What sorts of things will bring you the income you need while offering you the pleasure of working? You can have both income and enjoyment. (Some of us have found that working in retirement offers joys that working when we were younger did not.)  

Which jobs for seniors would be best for you?

1. Some turn their work  skills into income. This often starts informally.  A friend asks if you could look at something that needs fixing and you say, "Oh. O could do that for you". Without realizing it, you just had your first customer.  Then you friend, tells friend and you have a second customer.  After awhile you realize, this is a business and you go to your local government to find out what you need to do to be a 'legitimate small business'.

2. Others set out to 'create a new direction' in their business . If this is the case, you will want to start thinking of skills you have that might be useful..  Make a list of all your skills. Make another list of things you like to do. Take time.  You want to make these lists as long as you can.  (You can post them somewhere you will see them every day for a week or so.   You will probably  find your self adding new things - or crossing some out.    

3. Here are some ideas:

 A.Do you like to drive? In my town some retirees who enjoy driving have set up their own service. (One of the men worked for a bus company. Another had worked as a delivery person.)  Since this town is about 2 hours from big city airports, locals are delighted to learn they can hire  someone to drive them, in their own car to the airport; drop them off, bring the car back and then return to pick them up at the airport when their return flight lands.

Of course there is also driver services companies such as Uber and Lyft. These work best for those who live in urban or large suburban areas.

Contracting with a driver is convenient,  less expensive than hiring a limo AND there are no airport parking fees or fears of finding a full airport parking lot. Fact is that our local service has become so popular - all by 'word of mouth' - that there are now several retirees who do it.  And the nice thing is that the drivers can decide just how many trips they want to schedule. Clearly good jobs for seniors.                          

B. Do you like to Shop?  Many seniors or persons with disabilities would be delighted to have someone do weekly grocery shopping. 

C. Do you like to Fix things?                                                     There are scores of seniors, especially women living alone, who need a lock changed, a screen door repaired, ceiling light bulbs replaced or other jobs that come on the name of 'handyman job'.  A note posted at a senior center will often bring a first job.....and then if you show up on time, are polite, do a good job and 'do not charge and arm and a leg', you will get referrals - especially if you ask for them.                                                       

D. Gardening chores If you like to weed ( I have a passion for it myself), you may find that many a senior would be glad to hire you for an afternoon to do a 'bit of gardening'. Again try sign at the senior center - "Garden getting ahead of you? Call your Garden Helper. I will get those weeds under control".                                 

E. Small sewing jobs for seniors. Favorite clothes have lost buttons but arthritic hands make doing repairs a nightmare. A dress needs a tuck...or someone who has developed a back hump because of spinal osteoporosis and is feeling awful because 'nothing fits right' would love to hire you (Check out how to adjust Clothing for those with back humps  or Fashion with arthritis  )                                                   

F. Selling crafts,  your antiques and other special skill jobs for seniors. Many a senior who does crafts and some collectors have turned their hpbby into spending money by entering the fair circuit. Old postcards, linens, old tools, hand made toys. There are lots of opportunities BUT do be aware that such selling goes best before holidays and in good times when people feel flush and donot mind spending. 

Another approach to jobs for seniors

Another approach to jobs for seniors is: Learn new skills, have fun and earn money at the same time . All the research on aging shows that those of us who continue to learn are more likely keep our brains. Some of us take this very seriously. I know I did.

That is how I got to using my knowledge on web sites: this one and another about reversing bone loss:  www.osteopenia3.com. To be honest, after I retired I was concerned about how I would live out my days. I liked working and knew I would miss the daily interaction with others. I was also concerned about money.

A newly acquired 'documented disability" was one of the reasons I had retired and it made a regular job out of reach. Then someone in an online forum mentioned a company called SBI (Site Build It)        After watching some of their videos and learning that SBI  offered a 'money back guarantee'. I signed on.... AND I have learned so much and had fun besides.

SBI's user forums have given me a whole community of interesting people of all ages who are more than willing to share tips and help solve problems. In addition  the company's technical support team (who always reply within 24 hours or less). They have answered every question and solved every problem I reported.     

 I do not want to sound too enthusiastic but here is an 82 year old woman who has had a whole world open to her AND SBI has added to my income. I am so enthusiastic about SBI that  I even became an affiliate with them. Why? I think they offer such good job for seniors oppurtunity

 Learn more about SBI (Site Build it) by clicking  SBI   or if you        you prefer Word Press, click on this linK SBI for Word Press

And if you join SBI and run into a problem, feel free to contact me. I will be glad to help...or show you how to get a SBI worke solve your problem.   Who knows we might meet in one of the SBI forums and you'll be telling me that you never realized you could learn so much AND earn money besides with jobs for seniors.

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