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While retirement may involve leaving the workforce behind, most Americans plan to continue working past age 65. In fact, a 2022 survey from the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies found that about 57% of employees plan to retire full-time or part-time. Financial reasons and the desire to remain active were mentioned as the main drivers. Here are eight jobs that can keep you active, increase your income, and allow you to work remotely.
If you want personal help managing your finances in retirement, consider working with a financial advisor.
8 great work from home opportunities for retirees
While there are a myriad of options for retirees to work from home, the following are some of the best, which may be suitable for the job and estimated pay, per salary.com as of May 1, 2023.
accountant –
Bookkeepers keep a company’s financial records, including purchases, sales, invoices, payments, and other transactions. The job requires a high degree of accuracy. And it will probably take some technological know-how, as many if not most companies use software to manage their finances.
Best for:
Organized and detail-oriented employees with a good understanding of accounting basics.
Average salary: $42,854
Telehealth Nurse —
If you have a nursing degree but are hoping to transition to remote work, the growing demand for telemedicine could be a great opportunity for you.
Telehealth nurses “see” patients via email, phone, and chat. Also video conferencing and answering their questions, determining the medical next steps, conducting follow-up appointments and performing medical treatments.
If you are ready to be matched with local advisors who can help you achieve your financial goals, start now.
Best for:
Of course, this is good for people who already have a nursing degree. And in a remote environment, communication skills become more important than ever to treat patients with sensitivity.
Average salary: $85,045
Administrative assistant –
With an administrative assistant you can think of someone who mans the reception, makes copies and orders coffee. But the remote role has slightly different responsibilities. You can be expected to answer phone calls and emails, schedule meetings and appointments, and handle many of the things that keep a remote office running smoothly.
Best for:
This is good for people with excellent customer service and time management skills. Being able to multitask is a plus.
Average salary: $45,003
Legal Assistant —
Paralegals serve as assistants to attorneys, assisting in investigating and investigating lawsuits, keeping records, drafting correspondence and compiling documents for litigation. Job descriptions for a paralegal will vary widely depending on the law firm, the type of law practiced, its scope, and the paralegal’s own level of qualification.
Best for:
Those who already have a certification or degree in paralegal studies, although the qualifications required to become a paralegal depend on the hiring company and an actual degree or certification is not always necessary.
On the other hand, if this interests you, paralegal certification programs and associate’s degrees in paralegal studies can be relatively affordable and require only 12-24 months of study.
Average salary: $58,630-117,990 (salary ranges vary widely)
Lecturer
Tutoring is another job with a wide range of options depending on the age and educational level of the students, the subject(s) being taught and more. You can be a generalist working with elementary school kids on any subject they need help with.
You can also be a specialist who works with students on writing assignments, an ESL tutor who helps adults learn English, and all sorts of variations in between. Generally, a tutor works with students outside of their classes to help them better understand and implement the concepts they are learning.
Best for:
People who are patient, good at breaking down complex concepts into simple ideas and steps, and who have the required qualifications. Some tutoring positions require only a GED, while others require a college degree in the subject you want to specialize in, such as a bachelor’s degree in math for a math tutor.
Average salary: $42,422
Receptionist
A virtual receptionist fulfills the same role as a traditional, in-person receptionist: they make sure that all the customer’s concerns are taken care of.
While there is some overlap with a virtual administrative assistant, a receptionist will be more focused on the client side of the office rather than administration, answering phone calls and emails, assisting clients who need assistance, scheduling appointments and more.
Best for:
This is good for people with good multitasking and social skills. And some technological know-how ensures that clients don’t slip through the cracks in a remote office.
Average salary: $41,704
Customer Service Employee
In a physical store, such as a hardware store, a customer service representative may walk the floor and answer questions about what someone should buy for their upcoming home improvement project.
In an outside company, customer service representatives serve much the same purpose: to answer customer questions, help them with problems, and resolve any issues that arise.
Best for:
People with patience, excellent communication skills and a solid knowledge base of the products or services sold by their employer.
Average salary: $37,623
transcriptionist
The transcriptionist’s job is simple: you just type recordings. Some transcribers work exclusively in one industry. For example, they may work in the legal or medical field, which requires a certain level of knowledge of the terminology used in that profession. Others do general transcription work and type what is needed.
Best for:
This is good for fast and accurate typists looking for low intensity work. While some may find this type of work boring, the right person may find the audio or video they are transcribing interesting and appreciate the peace of mind.
Average salary: $41,453
Things to consider when looking for remote jobs Don’t get scammed
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), a common scam is that a fake company hires you. And then they send you a check to buy equipment with the caveat that you have to return the extra money. The check is bad and will be returned.
The FTC advises that you review all job postings carefully, only apply for jobs on legitimate websites, and never rely on an “approved” check that your employer sends you.
Use your career expertise
One of the best ways to land a new remote job is to use the skills you already have. Perhaps you can find a less demanding and remote version of your previous career. And starting this new job with your years of experience can be valuable for your employer. And it could potentially earn you a higher starting salary.
For example, if you’ve had a career as an editor, you might make an excellent English teacher. You can help students understand grammar rules and improve their reading and writing skills.
Understand how working can affect your Social Security benefits
Working may still be the right choice for you, but be aware of how your benefits may be affected. According to the Social Security Administration, while you can work and still receive benefits, there is a limit to how much you can earn before they start cutting your benefits if you haven’t reached full retirement age.
In 2023, the limit will be $21,240 for those under full retirement age. And it’s $56,520 for the year you reach full retirement age.
It boils down
It is common for retirees to continue working after retirement. It could be due to financial reasons or just finding ways to keep busy. However, you may not want to stay with the same career path you previously worked in. Perhaps you are looking for something less demanding, more flexible or a job that you can do from home. But before you decide to work, do your due diligence in finding the right opportunities.
Retirement tips
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Consider working with a financial advisor to get the most out of all the benefits of the SSA. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be difficult. SmartAsset’s free tool pairs you with up to three financial advisors serving your area, and you can have a free introductory meeting with your advisors to decide which one you think is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
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The SmartAsset Retirement Guide provides a calculator to show you how much you need to save for retirement. It also has a retirement calculator to help you weigh different options if you’re moving after retirement.
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