Finding Fulfilling Work During Retirement

When you retire, you may have a list of projects to get done, aspirations for leisure and relaxation, and perhaps some travel or hobbies to spend your newfound time on. Eventually, these things get done and many retirees ask themselves, “Now what do I do all day?”

Retirement is undoubtedly an exciting time. You have the time to pursue what you enjoy, and it can also be a time to pursue work (paid or volunteer) that you have never done before, perhaps on a scaled back schedule.

There are many benefits when working after retirement. You will stay physically and mentally healthy, you can learn something new, and you can earn extra income if you decide on a paid position. Of utmost importance is making sure the work you do during retirement is personally fulfilling.

How Do You Find Fulfilling Work During Retirement?

Planning for retirement in general takes a lot of time. If you’re already retired, you’ve put in the work to make financial and investing decisions. Have you also thought about what you want to do next?

Whether you’re already retired and looking for fulfilling work or beginning to plan for retirement, you should ask yourself these questions when deciding what your next step should be:

1. Who do you want to help during your free time?
2. What do you enjoy?
3. What changes would you like to see in your community?
4. How much time do you want to spend on a job?

Answering these questions is the first step to finding fulfilling work during your retirement.

Part-Time Work for Retirees

What is a good part-time job for retirees? The answer to this question starts with what you enjoy. If you are looking to go back to work, there are many options available. You could become a freelancer, find a temporary position, or even find seasonal work. Another option would be to ask the company you worked for previously if there are any part-time positions available.

Here are a few ideas that could be very fulfilling as part-time work in retirement:

• Administrative Assistant
  If you have skills related to computers, documentation, organizing, and being detail-oriented, you can find meaningful work being an administrative assistant. This type of position will often earn you a little extra income on the side while using your talents and socializing in an office or similar setting.
• Event Staff
  If you have a passion for theatre, the arts, or music, these types of venues are often looking for event staff. In exchange for working the shows, you’ll usually be able to enjoy perks like discounted tickets and being able to watch the show while you work.

• House Sitter
  Being a house sitter will let you travel and build relationships at a low cost. If you want to help families, build relationships, and gain some income, there are part-time and full-time opportunities when it comes to house sitting.
• Pet Sitter
  If you are an animal lover, this could be the perfect part-time or full-time position. You can look to family, friends, or join an online community to find people who would love your help with their pets. The local animal shelter could also be a great place to look for work, build your network for referrals, or promote your services.
• Substitute Teacher
  If you enjoy working with kids and helping them learn, you should consider becoming a substitute teacher for your local school district. If you have a passion to help the younger generations learn and grow, you can find meaningful work by being a substitute teacher. Best of all, you work when you’re available or want to, and you may often select which assignment to choose if you have preferences on grade level or subject. 
• Starting Your Own Business
  Starting your own business gives you the opportunity to create your own hours, be your own boss, and do what you love. Ideas for a home business can be service-based, content creation, or turning a hobby into a business. You’d be surprised how easy it is to sell things online using Facebook Marketplace or similar platforms – take a look around online to explore if this would be a good avenue for you.
• Consulting Work
  Being a consultant allows you to work when you want, where you want, and how you want. You can choose which projects you want to work on and get to be an independent professional. Consulting work is often doable while working from the comfort of your home.

It’s always a great idea to search for job openings and opportunities through an agency or job postings on Indeed, LinkedIn, or other job posting social media platforms. Remember, before you even get that far, start with identifying your talents and passion. Then, finding the right meaningful work is usually simple.

Volunteer Work for Retirees

Many take up volunteer work during retirement. If you want to make a difference in your community and change the lives of others, this could be the right option for you. Volunteer work will leave you feeling fulfilled if you choose the right organization and task. Consider these tips when deciding:

• Know your passions
• List out your talents
• Search for local volunteer opportunities in your community
• Have a strong understanding of the volunteer process

Volunteering is a rewarding process. Volunteering gives you the opportunity to meet new people, make a difference, and do what you love at low or no cost.

There are many organizations throughout the United States that offer volunteer opportunities. Signing up through a volunteer agency or keeping an eye on local volunteer opportunities online is a great way to start searching. Understand your passion and talents, as well as the organization’s expectations of volunteers, before committing to a volunteer opportunity.

Looking for one great place to volunteer in Wisconsin’s Waukesha County area? We can think of one great organization for sure – it’s us! Three Pillars always has volunteer opportunities of varying hours and types. Contact us to inquire and we’d be happy to find a great match for volunteer work for you on our Dousman campus.

Things to Consider Before Going Back Into the Workforce

When jumping back into the workforce after retirement, there are a few additional things to consider:

• Taxes
• Social security consequences
• Medicare
• Retirement savings
• Expenses

All those considerations should be carefully thought out or discussed with your financial professional to make sure you are making the right decision for your retirement journey. You want to retire happy, so take the time to decide what the best option for you is.

Work-Life Balance After Retiring

Your work-life balance after retiring will feel different than how it was before retiring. You now have the opportunity to either learn something new or to continue to grow your skills, if you so choose.

If you’re like many retirees and find yourself having a difficult time knowing how to spend your time, get started making a list of what you’re good at, what you’re interested in, and what you want to accomplish during your next stage of life. That is the first stepping stone – take it from there to dive into the considerations we list above.

Once you decide on a new part-time job or volunteer work, allow yourself to ease into the new routine and feeling of that work-life balance. Give yourself time to adjust and make sure it’s a great fit for you.

Remember — you’re retired! Only commit to something that makes you feel fulfilled and happy. If you find that it’s not quite right, go back to the drawing board and try again. You’ve worked hard to earn the best retirement ever, so go after it!

Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if we can be a resource to you. Leave us a comment below or contact us – we’re always happy to help where we can. If you’re interested in volunteering or part-time employment at Three Pillars, we’ve got you covered there too. Visit our Careers and Volunteer pages for more information.



Have a great suggestion to add to our article? Do you have a question or looking for tips or resources? Contact us or leave a comment below!