15 Low-Stress Jobs You Can Do In Retirement

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Did you know that as of 2023, nearly 19% of Americans above 65 years were in the workforce? This number is expected to rise significantly as time goes by. While you may wonder if it’s safe and healthy for senior citizens to work in their golden years, keep in mind that there are numerous low-stress jobs after retirement. This doesn’t mean you have to work 40 hours a week like you used to. Instead, these low-stress jobs will offer flexibility and freedom while guaranteeing monthly income.

Thankfully, this post is aimed at spotlighting the best jobs or career choices for seniors who don’t want to be bored sitting on the balcony all day. Hopefully, this will help you find the right low-stress job to boost your income and keep you occupied.

Why Do Some Older Adults Work After Retirement?

Even after retirement, many older adults still enjoy working. One of the main reasons for this is that they want to stay active. As you get older, there’s a need for you to improve your physical and mental health. By working a part-time job or running a side business, you’ll be engaged in the right amount of work to keep your body active and mind sharp.

On the other hand, some older adults prefer to earn extra money if they can’t completely rely on their retirement accounts. The earnings they get from their part-time work can help supplement their savings and social security. If, for instance, you believe you never had the opportunity to prepare fully for retirement, it’s okay to get a low-stress job and have some money coming in every month.

Working after retirement is also a great way to connect with the community and interact with people. Typically, being retired could mean that you have to stay at home all day; reading books, watching TV, or doing some boring stuff. But it’s important that you get to socialize and work with other people even as you get older. This will actually contribute to helping your mind stay sharp and giving you a bubbly spirit.

15 Low-Stress Jobs You Can Do In Retirement

If sitting idle after retirement doesn’t seem like the right thing for you, then you need to be engaged by getting a part-time job that won’t cause you much hassle. Here are some of the best low-stress jobs after retirement:

1. Retail Worker

If you are looking for a way to stay active and socialize, you might want to find work in retail. It’s actually one of the amazing options for seniors who aren’t completely retired. Usually, your shift at a retail establishment will entail tasks such as unpacking new supplies, assisting clients, or organizing products on an aisle.

Moreover, you are often allowed to choose the days and hours you want to work at most retail stores. This makes room for flexible scheduling. It’s one of the reasons why being a retail worker is one of the ideal low-stress jobs after retirement. After all, this is not the time to work long hours. Just pick a place that matches your expectations.

2. Event Coordinator

Some people enjoy organizing a party or event. They may not be professional event planners, but they sure love to get involved in the planning process. If you find yourself in this category, then maybe you should consider working as an event coordinator. Besides, if you’re extremely meticulous and well-organized, you already have the basic qualities for the job.

You can assist in organizing, setting up, and observing different important events for clients as an event coordinator. Seeing your clients pleased, whether it’s at weddings, birthday parties, or bridal celebrations, brings immense satisfaction.

If you aren’t confident enough to work on your own, you can choose to be someone’s assistant instead. A lot of busy event planners usually need assistants.

3. Writer

Sometimes, working after retirement doesn’t mean you have to leave the house. In fact, some people prefer working from home, even young people who aren’t retired. So, if this is what you want, you should think about becoming a freelance writer and editor. This is one of the low-stress jobs after retirement that offers flexible hours and a good income.

As a freelance writer, you work for clients remotely, writing articles, website content, product reviews, or maybe proofreading content. There is a wide range of opportunities you can benefit from, especially when you join large freelance platforms like Fiverr and Upwork. You can set your own prices and choose your work hours.

4. Gardener

Growing up as a teenager, I used to enjoy gardening. It was a job I did during the summer while I was in high school since it wasn’t strenuous or time-consuming. In your spare time, you might consider working as a gardener to make extra money.

Planting fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs, while enjoying the sunshine and fresh air, are just some of the benefits of gardening.

Besides doing this on your own property, you can get paid to plant and tend to gardens for people in your neighborhood. Community gardens also offer plenty of volunteer opportunities for those who are interested.

5. Babysitting

This is one of the low-stress jobs you can do in retirement. As an older person who probably has grandkids, you should be very comfortable around kids, especially if you’re a lady. So, babysitting your grandkids or children within your neighborhood is a great way to surround yourself with some bubbling energy. This will keep you on your toes and help you stay active.

6. Craft Shop Employee

Are you an artist who enjoys spending your spare time creating a masterpiece? Finding part-time employment in a craft shop might be an incredible way to harness your skill set as a retiree.

This is one good job for someone who’s looking for something less tedious and stress-free. Besides, working at a craft shop means you might be qualified for discounts when you need to purchase supplies for your personal projects.

7. Substitute Teacher

When I was in middle school, I remember having a substitute math teacher who was 70 years old at the time. Interestingly, he ended up becoming a brilliant teacher during the limited time he spent at my school.

It doesn’t matter whether you used to work as a school teacher or not. If there’s a subject you can confidently teach right now, this might be a great time to help students expand their knowledge.

From gym and English to food science and history, there’s a variety of classes you could teach. Don’t forget this would be a great way to keep your mind active as you connect with the students in your class.

8. Sports Team Coach

Were you a zealous sportsman with an in-depth knowledge of the game? You could put those former skills to use right now by working as a sports team coach. The next generation of athletes definitely needs the insights you have to share.

As a coach, watching your team succeed would be one of the best feelings you’ve ever felt. Whether you’re volunteering to lead a little league team or you’re coaching a bigger team of adult athletes, there’s so much fulfillment in thriving as a coach. It’s definitely one of the best low-stress jobs after retirement.

9. Driving

If you don’t mind spending a couple of hours behind the wheel, this is one of the low-stress jobs after retirement that pay well.

There are so many opportunities for you to make money on the side as a driver. For example, you can choose to sign up on an app like Uber or Lyft that allows you to drive people around for money — like a taxi. You can also deliver food to customers as an additional way to boost your earnings.

10. Pet Sitting

Do you enjoy spending time with animals? Well, the thing about being an animal lover is that you can also make some money through it by becoming a pet sitter.

People can come to leave their dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and other adorable pets at your house for you to take care of. Then you can charge hourly for offering this service.

Typically, you can make between $8 to $12 per hour looking after just one pet. Imagine if you can take care of 5 pets at once. This makes it one of the highest paying low-stress jobs after retirement.

Meanwhile, there are other benefits to reap from this job. If you’re a dog walker, for example, you get to enjoy fresh air and exercise your body. Besides, the pet can actually serve as an excellent companion.

11. Tour Guide

Becoming a tour guide is one of the exceptional low-stress jobs after retirement. Although the pay might not be much, the job offers a dynamic and fulfilling lifestyle, combining travel, history, and people interaction. As a retired individual with a wealth of knowledge and life experiences about your city, you can excel in this role.

Working as a tour guide would require you to share fascinating stories and insights with tourists, making their journeys more enriching. This also means that tour guiding provides an opportunity to meet people from diverse cultures, explore new places, and stay mentally and physically active.

It’s a perfect way to continue learning, earning, and contributing to the world while enjoying a flexible and rewarding work-life balance.

12. Flip Furniture

Furniture flipping can be a fantastic post-retirement pursuit, especially if you’re a DIY enthusiast. It offers a flexible and creative outlet that can also generate extra income.

As a retiree, you may have the time and perhaps the skills needed to restore and repurpose vintage or secondhand furniture. Even if you don’t have the skills, you can hire a craftsman and share your ideas with them.

However, this “job” can sometimes be physically demanding, depending on the piece you’re transforming. Nonetheless, the profit potential is substantial, especially when selling your work on online marketplaces.

13. Travel Agent

For a lot of people, traveling is a hobby. It’s a fantastic way to learn about other people’s cultures and understand a different angle to life. So, if you enjoy traveling, your expertise can help others to find incredible destinations they would love to visit. This is one of the interesting low-stress jobs after retirement.

As a travel agent, you can get paid to arrange an itinerary for travelers, recommend destinations, and help book tickets. Also, let’s not rule out the fact that this post-retirement job might help you secure a vacation spot in the future.

14. Online Tutor

If becoming a substitute teacher doesn’t sound like a great idea, you might want to consider offering online tutorials. These are virtual lessons conducted via platforms like Zoom, where you teach students remotely.

Being an online tutor gives you complete control over your time and schedule. In addition to choosing your favorite subjects, you can set your own hours and determine the number of students you’re willing to work with. It’s one of the low-stress jobs for retirees.

15. Sell Homemade Products

Sometimes, being retired gives you the opportunity to explore your creative ideas. You can actually start making your homemade products and turn them into a small, profitable business. For example, you could make scented candles, handmade jewelry, or large canvas. There are so many areas you can explore.

Do you know the best part? You don’t need a physical store to sell your products? Everything can be done from home.

To reach out to potential customers and grow your businesses, you can then create an online presence. This means having an active social media page or a simple website where your products are regularly displayed.

Quick Summary: Low-Stress Jobs You Can Do In Retirement

Retirement is meant for you to enjoy your golden years. But sometimes, you won’t find yourself really enjoying this part of your life if you aren’t doing something purposeful—especially something you’re passionate about. Whether you volunteer to work at an animal shelter or tend to the neighborhood garden each morning, you’ll find joy and fulfillment in supporting people.

The good thing is that this article has provided a list of the most fulfilling jobs that won’t take a toll on your health. These jobs will rather serve as an opportunity for you to remain physically and mentally fit.

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