Retirement Side Hustles: How to Earn Money After Retirement

It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that the very notion of retirement is evolving. A 2021 survey shows that nearly half of Americans plan to continue working past 70—or not retire at all (Forbes).

Whether you’re driven by financial needs or a desire to remain productive, the digital age offers tons of side hustles for retirees. Imagine leveraging a lifetime of skills and passions, working on your terms, and avoiding the physical demands of a traditional day job. That’s a retirement side hustle.

How we curated these retirement side hustles

Before diving into the list of potential side hustles, it’s important to understand how we arrived at these recommendations. We conducted extensive research, drawing on credible sources like Forbes, AARP, and industry-specific reports. We also consulted financial planning experts and retirees who have successfully transitioned into side hustles to ensure these suggestions are practical and aligned with current trends.

Leveraging professional expertise

Every retiree has at least one thing in common: a wealth of expertise to draw on. For this reason, consulting is one of the most direct ways to continue earning post-retirement. In fact, you can use your decades of accumulated experience and extensive network of professional contacts to start a consulting side hustle.

Consultants are particularly valued in fields where such expertise is scarce, allowing you to earn a premium while working as little (or as much) as you want. Here are some examples:

• A retired engineer could offer input on infrastructure projects, tapping into technical knowledge and years of navigating regulatory landscapes.
• Former project managers might freelance and coach companies lacking leadership, leveraging a lifetime of experience on project timelines, resource allocation, and team management.
• Marketing or sales veterans might consult for small businesses and startups, advising on brand development and offering timeless insights into consumer behavior.

These examples illustrate the diversity and feasibility of consulting work—a path that can prove financially rewarding and mentally stimulating.

Turning hobbies into a retirement side hustle

For retirees who prefer a more hands-on approach, monetizing hobbies can be an excellent way to generate additional income while pursuing personal interests. Crafts, gardening, woodworking, and other pastimes can evolve into a lucrative side hustle.

Here are just a few possibilities:

In-person networking

If you prefer personal interaction, consider selling your handmade goods directly to customers. Events like farmers’ markets, local festivals, or pop-up shops can be great places to meet customers who value unique, handcrafted items.

Resale platforms

Digital marketplaces like Etsy, eBay, and Amazon Handmade offer global exposure, enabling you to reach a wider audience. In fact, these platforms are ideal for those seeking to transition their craft from leisure activity to business venture.

Personal website

Even retirees without strong computer skills can set up a personally-branded website to monetize hobbies. Beyond simply selling physical products, you can use your website to share knowledge through videos or newsletters, spreading the joy of your hobby while generating cash flow. For example, if you’re an artist, you can sell art online through your own website, showcasing your work and connecting with buyers directly.

One exciting aspect of monetizing hobbies is that there are no restrictions based on your previous line of work. Whether you’re an ex-accountant cultivating a garden, a former construction worker creating engaging online content, or a retired executive crafting birdhouses, the possibilities are limitless.

These types of stories don’t just inspire us—they prove that even the simplest hobby can become a source of additional income and personal fulfillment. We gathered these insights from successful retirees and hobbyists who have turned their passions into profitable ventures.

Sharing knowledge through tutoring and teaching

Retirees with a background in education—or simply a deep knowledge of their craft—can find rewarding side hustles in mentoring the next generation.

Online Tutoring Platforms

Online tutoring platforms, in particular, offer a way to be compensated for sharing expertise. In fact, since the online learning shift sparked by COVID-19, the demand for online tutors has increased significantly.

Here are some ways you can engage in tutoring and teaching as a retiree:

• Multi-subject tutoring – Platforms like Wyzant allow tutors to offer lessons in any area of expertise and set their own rates.
• Arts and music instruction – Sites like LessonFace offer lessons in instruments, singing, and even crafts like knitting, weaving, or painting.
• Language teaching – Platforms like Italki provide opportunities for teaching English or other languages, helping retirees monetize linguistic skills.

It’s important to note that many of these platforms require certain qualifications or teaching experience. However, you always have the option to create your own personal website.

For example, with Name.com, you can set up a simple website dedicated to your teaching services, allowing students to book sessions directly. Name.com can also bundle your website with tools like Google Workspace, enabling effective schedule management.

This approach grants you the freedom to set your own rates while teaching whatever you want, whenever you want.

Freelance writing and editing

Another great side hustle for those who have a way with words, freelance writing can serve as the ideal retirement side hustle. Platforms like Upwork or Fiverr are a great place to start, paving the way to new opportunities. In fact, retirees often make some of the best writers for a few reasons:

• Experience – The depth and breadth of your life experience can greatly enhance storytelling, whether writing for clients or crafting your own narratives.
• Time – It’s no secret that writing takes time. With more flexibility in your schedule, retirement allows you to develop a dedicated writing routine without the constraints of a typical workday.
• Skill – Your decades of work experience are also an invaluable asset that may be highly sought after by editors and publishers.

Numerous experiences prove it’s never too late to start a new ‘chapter’ in your life. For example, Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the “Little House on the Prairie” series, didn’t publish her first book until she was 65 (Britannica).

On that subject, becoming a freelance writer and publishing your work further opens up possibilities for earning royalties and generating passive income. This makes freelance writing a potentially lucrative and enjoyable post-retirement side hustle.

Exploring seasonal work opportunities

Seasonal work can be an excellent option if you’d rather not commit to a year-round or long-term side hustle. These positions allow retirees to work intensively for part of the year and enjoy their freedom for the rest—an appealing choice for those looking to balance work with personal interests and travel.

Consider a few types of seasonal side hustles for retirees:

• Embracing holiday job opportunities, like gift wrapping or store greeting
• Cooking and serving seasonal meals, or writing about them in a cooking blog
• Serving as a counselor for educational or recreational summer camps
• Offering expertise during tax season from January to April

Due to the nature of the work, seasonal opportunities differ by location, yet provide retirees with a hands-on and active lifestyle.

Renting out property

For retirees with spare rooms or property, renting can provide a significant passive income stream and increase your retirement savings. Not to mention, platforms like Airbnb have simplified the process of becoming a host, making it more accessible for people to earn revenue from unused spaces.

However, it’s important to note that many locales require you to have a permit or license to legally rent out your property. Regulations can vary widely depending on the location, so be sure to check local laws and secure any necessary permits before listing your space.

The process of renting out property generally involves four main steps:

1. Prepare the property, ensuring it’s clean, well-maintained, and appealing for short stays.
2. Set a rent price and create a lease agreement, outlining rental terms and conditions.
3. Create a listing, either through a rental platform or through local advertising.
4. Manage the property by responding to tenants and keeping it well-stocked.

Renting not only offers financial benefits, but it also provides opportunities for social interaction and cultural exchange as you interact with guests from diverse backgrounds.

Pet sitting and dog walking

If you love animals, pet sitting can be a fun and rewarding retirement side hustle. Working with animals provides physical exercise and emotional fulfillment while supplementing your retirement income and retirement savings.

To embark on the pet care business path, you might try to:

• Establish yourself by creating a profile on pet care platforms, like Rover or Wag.
• Tap into your community network through word-of-mouth referrals.
• Carve your own path by creating a dedicated web page for your pet care services.

Many pet owners are willing to pay well for reliable, trustworthy care—and retirees with flexible schedules and a soft spot for furry friends are well-suited to provide this service.

Not to mention, Name.com can help you promote your services by building a website that suits your needs. A well-designed website offers several advantages, such as improving your online visibility and providing a simple way for potential clients to contact you. This landing page offers several cost-effective advantages, like listing your service on Google Maps and providing a simple contact form that helps potential clients get in touch with you.

Reimagine retirement with Name.com

Retirement is no longer synonymous with slowing down. Today’s retirees are vibrant and energetic—eager to continue learning, growing, and contributing to the community.

Side hustles retirees offer retirees the perfect opportunity to stay active, engaged, and financially secure. With your passion and expertise, you can build a second career that provides personal satisfaction and a steady hustle income.

As you do, Name.com offers a comprehensive suite of tools and resources to help you succeed. From domain names to websites and email solutions, Name.com has everything you need to establish and grow your online presence.