-By Karen Weeks, Guest Contributor

For many seniors, retirement is something they’ve looked forward to for a long time. But once you get there, you may find that you need or want to return to the workforce. Perhaps your retirement income isn’t cutting it, you find yourself twiddling your thumbs at home, or you’d just like to make a little extra spending money. Whatever the reason, more and more seniors are jumping back in and taking a part-time job. By 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that of the 164 million individuals in the workforce, 13 million will be ages 65 and older. With this in mind, here are some reasons to consider punching back in with a part-time job, and some suggestions on the kinds of work that may be available.

 

The Fun Wore Off

In the initial weeks and months of retirement, you soak it up. You do what you want, when you want, and with whom you want. However, if you retired before your spouse or friends, retirement may not be what you’d expected. If you’d prefer to spend your days of leisure with others, then travel plans, lunch dates, and weekday adventures will have to be planned around everyone else’s work schedules. Even if you don’t mind being independent, it’s possible that you could start to miss work. Going to and from work gave you a place to be each day, and the satisfaction of completing tasks and the joy of socializing with others was something you cherished.

 

You Need the Perks

The biggest perk of working is the income you bring in, and after retirement, you may find that you need some extra cash to cover the necessities and/or enjoy your retirement. Having a job will enable you to spend less of your savings, or you can continue to build up your savings nest egg. Another perk of working part-time is that you are still able to enjoy the benefits of being retired. You have time to pursue hobbies, cultivate friendships, or focus on your self-care by working a few days per week. Depending on the type of job you take, you may be able to set your own hours.

 

It Keeps You Mentally and Physically Active

Keeping your brain sharp is imperative in the fight against premature aging and memory loss, but if you aren’t actively participating in social and educational activities/hobbies, loneliness and boredom may creep in. By taking on a job, you have a commitment you must fulfill, while at the same time, you are reengaging socially and challenging your mind. In addition to the brain boost, the physical activity certainly doesn’t hurt either. Walking up and down stairs or around the office counts as exercise. Plus, the days you go in to work are the days you might also engage in other activities while you are out and about such as fitness classes or an activity offered at your local senior center. Perhaps you’ll meet a fellow coworker with whom you share similar likes and interests, opening up doors for future social activities.

 

Jobs to Consider

Now that you are thinking about taking on part-time work, what are your options? Well, start by taking a look at what you enjoy doing. For instance, if you love dogs, there are online opportunities to build up clients to start your own dog-walking or dog-boarding business. Another great website to check out is Fiverr, a freelance services marketplace where you pick and choose the jobs you want to complete in areas such as business, programming, graphic design, and writing. If you’re crafty, you may think about setting up an Etsy shop or selling your creations at art shows and galleries. Just about any hobby can be turned into a job opportunity, whether it is blogging, photography, knitting, or jewelry-making. You could even make extra cash by teaching others your skills in the area of music, art, sports, etc.

Retirement doesn’t have to be the end of your time in the workforce. Whether you return to work for the extra income, exercise, socialization, or challenge, the decision on what job to pursue is yours. There are self-employment options as well as traditional part-time jobs, and both offer many benefits.

 

Photo by: Pixababy