Often times I’m asked by workshop and presentation attendees, “Rick, I don’t have a lot of savings or a large pension for retirement. Can working be part of my retirement vision?” My answer is, absolutely yes!
For some retirees, the thought of working in retirement is foreign and outright rejected. I get this! For others, especially those who may not have sufficient savings or who just love to work, being employed is quite attractive; and should be included in their retirement vision.
For these people, work represents, not only an opportunity to make money, but oftentimes is an acknowledgment of their self-worth and contribution. For others, it’s an opportunity to have new colleagues and workmates.
Many retirees work reduced hours in their respective profession or trade. This may mean working a day, two, or three days per week. Many retirees work part-time or seasonal work. You could work retail during Christmas, or at a lakeside resort in the summer. Perhaps you want to work with children and have summers off or be a paid gardener, babysitter, research, or writer.
One of the benefits of a paid job is the appreciation of your leisure hours. With a paying job, there is a greater need to plan and manage your leisure time. Retirees report money jobs help eliminate their down periods, especially if you have too much leisure time on your hands.
Another benefit is the therapeutic value of keeping mentally and physically sharp. “I work an average of three mornings a week, but this forces me to squeeze the living daylights out of my balanced leisure lifestyle!” I thought, ‘he probably gets more out of his leisure time than the average retiree.’ Why? He’s got to plan it out!
In today’s employment environment, there is a great demand for older workers. Many employers view retirees as steady and more reliable than younger workers, and older workers require less time off. Retirees traditionally have a strong work ethic.
As a second option, you may be interested in starting your own business. Such as: consulting, home decorating, small engine repair, tax form completion, senior care, child care, dog walking, tutoring, cake decorating, or care taking, to name a few.
Here are some questions you should consider. If you have six yes answers, maybe working at a job is for you:
- I have a strong work ethic that needs to be satisfied. Yes / No
- I need to feel I’ve accomplished something each day, only a money job will fulfill my need. Yes / No
- Working for money is important to me. Yes / No
- I need a money job to wake up to. Yes / No
- Work keeps me in the mainstream and in contact with others in my profession or trade. Yes / No
- Work keeps my mind active. Yes / No
- I need the money. Yes / No
- Working will help me enjoy my leisure time more. Yes / No
- Work is pleasure for me – as long as I get paid for it. Yes / No
- Work is therapeutic – it will keep me alive longer. Yes / No
Based on your answers, think of three or four work options that interest you. Talk to friends, family, and acquaintances about your desire to work and what opportunities they can help you with. Remember, most jobs are never advertised – they are filled by word-of-mouth.
For help creating your holistic retirement plan, consider signing up for my Strategies for Retiring Right! Course. It is a self-directed course containing:
- 4 hours of content
- 90 minutes of video
- 12 lessons filled with information, self-completing exercises, and quizzes
- sample retirement plans
- and the option of after-course, one-on-one virtual retirement fulfillment reviews.
Becoming fully prepared for life after work is critical. Cash in on the Pre-Christmas sale. For only $57, you will have access to all the materials in my Strategies for Retiring Right! Course. For information, visit the course segment of this website.