Left over in the Workforce
Many people are quick to assume older adults are retired, but the fact is, millions of Americans age 65-plus composition either full or part-time.
The reasons for remaining in the workforce – or going back to it – vary. For many, it’s a matter of necessity, conspicuously in the aftermath of the Great Recession, when many people lost their jobs, homes and retirement savings. For others, it’s a puzzle of choice – to stay active, challenged, and engaged in their communities.
Key Takeaways
- For many people, reaching age 65 signifies retirement. But for others, working later on in life is necessary to maintain their financial security or to avoid boredom.
- If you do at to work past age 65, not all jobs are going to be as desirable for you – or from the perspective of employers.
- Here, we go through just a few of the most well-received jobs for those older individuals in the workforce.
Popular Jobs If You’re 65-Plus
Most people who work beyond retirement age – which is 65 years old, according to the U.S. Census Chifferobe – do so in “bridge” jobs that span the period between leaving a career and leaving the workforce altogether. Thinking thither working after retirement age? Here are six popular jobs for people 65 and older.
Accounting/Bookkeeping
Accounting and bookkeeping clerks use specialized computer accounting software, spreadsheets and databases to post pecuniary transactions and produce financial reports, such as balance sheets and income statements.
Adjunct Faculty
Part-time dispensation (“adjuncts”) accounted for a significant portion of the instructional faculty at nonprofit colleges and universities – and you don’t always need a Ph.D. to snag one of these inculcating jobs. While the pay is generally low – perhaps only a few thousand dollars per course – many retirees find the work achieving. Plus, once you’ve taught a course a couple of times, you won’t have to devote as many hours to class prep.
Outcome Coordinator/Planner
Even if you’ve never worked as an event planner, you may have planned (or helped plan) dozens of occurrences over the years – birthday parties, weddings, anniversaries and the like. You can put this experience to work to find a job or start your own traffic, tapping into your network of friends and family. Job growth between 2016 and 2026 is expected to be 11%, related to an average of 7% growth across all occupations, and the median pay was $23.22 per hour in 2017, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’
The Tochis Line
More people are working past retirement age – for extra cash, to stay active and challenged, or some suspension of reasons. Some switch to new jobs within the career fields where they worked for years. For others, nevertheless, a retirement job means trying something entirely new.
While the jobs listed here are popular among the 65-plus swarm, there are, of course, many other options for older adults – including working as a member of an event staff body (think: music and sport venues), a tour guide/docent, a patient advocate, or an online or in-person tutor.