You’ve worked hard, you’ve brought up your kids, perhaps you’re a grandparent; you’ve paid your dues and now it’s your time to retire. Retirement can mean many different things for different people, and finding the right balance between hobbies and home can give rise to brand new opportunities. Perhaps you’re not made for retirement after all, is it just a springboard for a new and dazzling career? Or have you realized that retirement is not for you and want to get back into the swing of work?
How do you find a job after retirement? Is it difficult to find a job after 50? Is it possible to find unbelievable success after a long career?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there was an increase in the employment rate for ages 65 to 74 from 19.2% (in 2000) to 26.6% (in 2010). These statistics are estimated to go up to 32% by 2030.
If you’re thinking, “how can I strike it rich after 50?”, there are countless inspirational figures that found their fortune later in life. Probably the most referenced is Harland Sanders A.K.A ‘Colonel’ Sanders, the founder of KFC, who became a millionaire at 74. Simple people who had regular jobs, just like you, found success by following their dreams - think of salesman Ray Kroc of MacDonalds, or economics professor Taikichiro Mori who quit his job at 55 and was named Forbes’ richest man in 1992. What about Judge Judy, who was just an (extra)ordinary judge before finding TV fame at 54. The list of people who found incredible success and happiness in careers after retirement is endless.
Retirement gives you the space and time to try new things, or to have new experiences in what you’re passionate about. You can volunteer, offer professional consultancy, freelance, find full-time employment, or even a part-time gig.
Working after retirement can give you more of a reason to move to a certain place for work. Here are 15 US cities that are really big into hiring baby boomers (those born from 1946 to 1964) due to their experience:
Of course, these are the top cities for finding a job in the US, but why to limit yourself - you’re retired after all. Working abroad in a totally new place is also an option, a potentially fun one.
Looking for jobs after retirement has become a lot easier with the many online resources available at your fingertips. Now, all you need is a virtual CV or portfolio, which makes applying for a new job faster, and easier. If you have not already you should set up your LinkedIn profile or make sure that it is updated.
LinkedIn is a much more mature platform where work comes first, and under the jobs tab, you can specify what type of work you want to do, or continue to do. And, you can also pick where you want to work or how much (part-time or full-time). In addition to LinkedIn, there are many job boards such as Indeed or ZipRecruiter where you can find work that matches your skillset.
Or, if you’ve settled on a certain company, you can check the careers page on their website.
If, however, you’re considering playing the field as a freelancer then there are many platforms that allow you to do so with the top one being UpWork. If this is a new one for you, do not worry since it is easy to use. Just set up your profile, type in what jobs you are keen on, and start applying. As a freelancer, you work when you want to (depending on the deadline of course) and wherever you want to work.
But, the best way to find a job is also the best way to do marketing: word-of-mouth. So, ask your former work friends if they know of any openings.
First, have fun with it. Remember this is your time. Second, figure out how much you want to work. Remember that you must keep your life-work balance, well… balanced. That is where part-time or freelance work can be appealing. However, if you want to go on full-time, of course, you can. But, put your health first. And, the second tip is to have fun.
While this is a cliché saying, it is, nevertheless, a true one. The idea of working after retirement is to be part of a working community as well as to enhance, use, or develop new skills. But, if it is not fun, then there is no point. You may want to consider working in a field that is closely linked to your hobbies. For example, if you are a lover of painting then why not be an art teacher? Or if you’ve got experience building dams, become a project consultant? There are many ways you add value to your current field as well as a new one. This is a chance for you to meet new people, grow your network and find life-long friends.
The third tip for working after retirement is a more serious one in that you must consider what the job requires from you. Is it a very physical job? Is it outside work? Is it office based? What type of technology would you have to use? All the questions you had in the past when applying for work have not changed over the years. It is important to find a job that not only accommodates your skills and experience but your needs too.
And, the final tip when you are thinking about going back to work during retirement or starting anew, is to ask yourself how much will it cost you to do so? Not only in terms of transportation to get to work, or internet to work from home, but taxes, social security, and even your healthcare plan.
You would have to check if going back to work during retirement will affect your social security benefits by putting you in a different income bracket. And, it is strongly recommended that you research how it can affect the eligibility of your healthcare if you are relying on a government-funded program.
If there is no issue, then go ahead to work during retirement, where you can use your experience, as well as people skills. The latter is a bit lacking with the youth since people skills are something you learn with age, as you know.
There are several reasons for you or someone to work after retirement. The first is that it can help with your pension and savings to have a bit more money in your pocket. This is an obvious one, but there is also a sense of community in the work field even if you are working remotely.
Changing to a new field will give you skills that you may not yet have. Challenging your mind by learning new things (aka novelty processing) slows down cognitive decline, adding to health improvement.
While we are on the subject of health, working after retirement can be associated with less physical decline while improving your mental health.
If you’re not looking to earn extra income, volunteering is also a great choice that can give you a sense of purpose, and make you feel younger while also decreasing depression while increasing your quality of life.
And, honestly, people just love to work. Everyone is different, and we all want to use our time as we want to. So if working is calling you back for a warm embrace, why not go for it? Just have fun, while still looking after yourself.
If you do decide to move for work or to a city where you see yourself living, then why not use the AARP® Moving Services powered by Shyft instead of doing another move by yourself? AARP members get a discount of up to $250 for every move booked.
Shyft is the world’s first tech-driven moving marketplace, which means that your entire move, from sourcing trusted movers to managing the communication is taken care of for you. This, of course, takes away the stress that often comes along with making a move. And, getting in touch with Shyft is easy. Just complete the moving form found on the website or give Shyft a call at 1-888-838-5981.
From the moment Shyft gets your moving details, you will be contacted by your dedicated Shyft Move Coach at the time that is suitable for you. This is an easy video chat that is done through a secure app (that is free to download on your mobile) called ShyftNext.
It is through this app that you will meet the real person on the other side who will create your inventory list for you. And, when the call is over and done with, this list will be sent to you for confirmation. Here you can change items, add new ones, and make notes.
With this updated list, and your moving details (your personal ones are redacted for your safety), Shyft will head over to the secure platform where experienced, independent, and verified moving companies, that are independently Shyft-approved, gather to bid on moves, yours included.
This is done to ensure that you get the best mover for your requirements at the lowest cost. Shyft will collect multiple moving quotes, and present them to you. All you have to do is pick the quote that’s most suitable. You can even choose to pay for your move in installments. What’s more, if you want to check in on what is happening you can contact Shyft 24/7.
Let the job hunt begin and when you are ready to make your next move, contact AARP Moving Services powered by Shyft for a stress-free experience.
