You may have many reasons for wanting to work after retirement. Maybe you’d like to meet new people, be your own boss, or set new goals. Or maybe you never pursued the career of your dreams because it didn’t pay enough. 

Of course, there’s also the fact that our dollars don’t seem to go as far as they did a few years ago. A side hustle can help bridge the gap between how you envisioned retirement and reality – and hopefully add a little more gold to your golden years. 

So, what makes a good side hustle? Well, that depends on what you like to do. At this point in your life, you should be enjoying yourself – even when you’re earning money. Here are 10 post-retirement jobs that you might find worth your time. 

1. Become a freelancer 

Freelancing is essentially the definition of a side hustle. As a freelancer, you’ll work on a per-project basis for any clients you choose. 

Writers, graphic designers, and other artists leap to mind when you hear the word “freelance,” but in today’s digital world, just about anyone can become a freelancer. Accountants and bookkeepers, website developers, project managers, CAD designers, video editors – if you can do it on a computer, you can find work as a freelancer. 

Getting started is as easy as creating a profile on a platform like Upwork or Fiverr, or even building your own website and marketing your skills online. Just do a bit of research first, to see what other freelancers in your area of expertise charge for their services. You don’t want to price yourself out of the market, but you also deserve to receive fair payment for your skills and services. 

2. Share your opinion 

Do you enjoy online quizzes and questionnaires? You can get paid for this work. Market research groups such as focusgroups.org and Survey Junkie pay for honest feedback on everything from television and cars to political candidates.  

In exchange for answering questions, you may be able to receive direct deposit cash, online gift cards, and merchandise. 

3. Join the artisan trend 

Do you paint, sew, knit, crochet, carve, or otherwise create beautiful goods and items? Your part-time passion could return big dividends if you sell your creations online or at local fairs and markets. 

With digital marketing, selling your creations has never been easier. Sure, you can sell your items on sites like Amazon and Etsy, but you can also create a YouTube channel and film your creative process, show others how you make your amazing art, and even add affiliate links to your page. You may even develop a following on social media – all while doing something you love to do.  

4. Start a podcast

Do you love to talk and share your opinions about politics, entertainment, or sports? Or maybe you have a wealth of knowledge about a particular topic, like cars or true crime? Of course, you could also have a wide network of friends and colleagues who’d make fascinating interview subjects. 

If the idea of sharing your thoughts, ideas, and/or expertise intrigues you, may we recommend starting a podcast? The costs to get started range from zero to minimal dollars – your phone likely has everything you need. 

You can monetize your podcast, too, with affiliate links, sponsored content, and good old-fashioned ads. It may take a few months to start earning money, but once you’ve acquired an audience, you should see some financial rewards (in addition to the fun you’re having). 

5. Help others stay in shape

Teaching exercise, yoga, or Pilates isn’t just for young folks. In fact, older students may prefer a more mature teacher. “Seniors can easily find side hustles by offering classes at their local senior or community centers,” says Donna F. Brown, 69, an author in Pearce, Arizona, who teaches yoga in her spare time. 

One of Brown’s classes is geared directly toward people with mobility issues. “I put out a donation basket for whatever my students can afford,” she says. “The benefits of offering this invaluable service for my community are worth more than all the things money can buy.” 

6. Use your organizational skills

If your pre-retirement career required you to stay organized, you have a marketable skill set. Take Elyse Felder, 73, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She’s a former schoolteacher who charges an hourly fee to coach others through organizing and storing information related to insurance, end-of-life planning, finances, and real estate. “It is way less painful to have a companion do this with you,” she says. “Working with people in my condominium building alone has brought me enough clients to give me my retired life balance,” she says. 

Consider what area you have mastery in, and then begin offering your services. You can target people’s filing cabinets, overflowing garages, or even their confusing calendars.

7. Teach online

If you have a specialty that may help other people, you could land work teaching online. This is what Vicki Soll, 62, does. After a fast-paced career in Silicon Valley, she now trains fellow older adults in technology. “I’m able to use my tech and teach really useful skills,” she says. “That means a lot to me.” 

Soll uses GetSetUp, a live interactive education platform that was built specifically for older adults to learn from one another. To help out younger students, go to the online classrooms at Outschool. Teachers there earn $35 an hour on average, according to the site. 

8. Cook for others 

Have a passion for food, nutrition, and engaging with your peers? Make some cash by combining your interests with Chefs for Seniors. As part of the AARP Employer Pledge Program, this personal chef company employs many people over 65 to cook for fellow older adults. 

While many of the franchise’s employees over 65 are semi-retired from food service, restaurant industry experience is not a must. But you’ll need to be comfortable with technology to master the program’s digital platform. 

9. Get on the golf course 

If you’d like to spend more free time driving golf balls, consider finding a job doing greens work or staffing the pro shop. You’ll have to do some actual labor, of course. But the upshot is that you’ll also meet fellow golfers and play for free. 

So how do you score the gig? Play the course often and let management know you’re interested — even if you’re still months from retirement.  

10. Become a dog walker 

If you love animals and being outdoors, dog walking can be a flexible way to earn extra money in retirement. Many pet owners need reliable help, and you can set your own schedule while making an average of $15–$30 per walk. You can see what opportunities are available on sites like Rover and Care.com. And beyond the income, it’s a healthy way to stay active, meet neighbors, and enjoy time with furry companions.