When social security was first invented in the 1930s, the average life expectancy was much lower than it is today, meaning when you retired at 65, you likely had, at most, 15 years of life left. But now, as it becomes more common to live 20 or even 25 years after the age of 65, individuals are realizing their social pension isn’t enough.
Don’t panic, there are many side jobs you can work, even as you collect social security. You just have to be careful to watch your hours and find a job that fits your capabilities. Keep reading to learn more.
Can You Work While Receiving Social Security?
The short answer is yes, it is legal for everyone who receives social security to work. However, before you dive into work, know that the hours you can work and the amount you can make without affecting your benefit will depend on your personal financial situation.
We recommend specifically researching your situation before applying for jobs, or at least checking this chart however, as a general rule of thumb (and for the purposes of this article) you should not work any job that nets you over $25,000 per year, and you should never make more than you did during your full time work career, as this can reduce your future work benefits.
$25,000 breaks down into the following:
- Approx $2,000 per month
- No more than $520 earned per week
- No more than $13 per hour when working 40 hours per week (which we don’t recommend)
As you can imagine, it is very easy to find a part-time job that doesn’t break these minimums. The difficult part is finding one you enjoy that doesn’t eliminate you because of your age. Below are some of the part-time jobs specifically recommended for those 65+.
6 Part-Time Jobs for Retirees
1. Work at an Event Center or Theater
One of the jobs we always recommend for retirees is working at an event center. This can be a theater in your hometown, or perhaps a baseball or football stadium. Not only do these hours vary, but all positions are part-time and seasonal, meaning you aren’t likely to pass the income threshold that would lower your benefits.
Not only that, but many of these jobs are easy, laid back, and offer perks like free tickets. We have several friends who work at local arenas, and they enjoy their job and making a little extra cash while also getting to see games, concerts, and more.
2. Pet Sitter
The cool thing about becoming a pet sitter is that there are options for all levels of physical fitness. Those who are still very fit can walk dogs on a gig basis like Rover or Wag, and those who can’t can look for positions which involve checking in on cats, guinea pigs, or hamsters. While these positions don’t usually pay much, they are a nice way to get a little extra cash while also spending some time with animals.
Additionally, pet sitting is irregular enough that you would have to fight really hard to pass the income threshold. Just be prepared to have busy seasons (like the summer and Christmas) and multiple months off at a time.
3. Tutor
There is always a market for tutors in almost all subjects. Not only can you tutor in person at schools and learning centers, but there are also many online tutoring opportunities. Some platforms do require a teaching license, but if you were once a teacher, you will likely feel right at home.
Though tutoring pays well, it is often irregular, and you may only have 1-2 students at any given time. This makes it an excellent way to earn extra cash while not worrying about disrupting your benefits.
4. Retail Worker
Working in retail isn’t for everyone, but there are many opportunities, whether you find yourself drawn to clothing, grocery stores, or electronics. The nice thing about retail is that while the pay isn’t great, it’s easy to only work part-time hours, and you often also get a discount where you work. Though you likely have to be able to be on your feet, we have seen some positions that would work for someone who needs to sit or be in a wheelchair.
The trick with working retail is to know the maximum hours you can work and ensure you don’t pass those. Also, be honest and frank with your employer when you are hired. If you cannot pass more than 20 hours per week, ensure they know that in advance.
5. Tax Prep
Tax prep is one of the best jobs for retirees because they only offer hours typically during the early months of the year–January to May, to be exact, though the hours may be full-time during a couple of these months (typically March and April as tax deadlines loom).
Tax preparers can work from a seated position without issue and are often paid well for their time. While you may need some background in accounting, some places are willing to train as well. Just be careful not to pass the $25,000 per year max, as this is one of the few jobs you could do so easily.
6. Become a Notary
So many documents require notaries, and it’s fairly easy to become one–usually only requiring a single class in your state. While this class may cost money, notaries can often charge $60 for a single signature.
The hardest thing about becoming a notary is finding clients. While some have had luck with joining local Real Estate groups or Law offices, we recommend not becoming one unless you have a plan to find your clients.
Notary work is sporadic, and unless you become famous in your city, we doubt you will pass $25,000 per year, which is one of the reasons it’s an ideal job for retirees.
Overall, if you are struggling to make ends meet on Social Security, know that you aren’t alone and that many retirees around the world find themselves working part-time. Working or volunteering can also help you manage the difficult emotional side of retirement. We hope that one of these jobs might work for you–but if not, know there are many more out there to consider!
