Working After Retirement Finding the Right Fit for You

Retirement today looks very different than it did for past generations. For many of our great-grandparents, retirement simply wasn’t an option. Even when attitudes began to shift in the 1930s and 1940s, retirement was viewed as a time to step away from work entirely, to sit back and do nothing.

Opportunities were limited, and older adults were often discouraged from working at all. Today, retirement is more dynamic. If you stay active you stay young. You’re encouraged to stay active, explore passion projects, or even take on part-time or consulting work.

The real question is: what kind of work fits your goals and lifestyle in retirement?

Start by thinking about your time commitment. Do you want a structured schedule or the freedom to work when you choose?

How much income do you need—or want? Think also about lifestyle balance: travel, family, hobbies, and rest. Some roles offer low stress and flexibility, perfect for supplementing your income.

You might consider driving for Uber, delivering for DoorDash, or working part-time as a retail greeter, library aide, or museum docent. These often require minimal retraining and let you stay socially engaged.

If you’re seeking more intellectual engagement, consider consulting, freelancing, teaching, or mentoring. These can be meaningful and financially rewarding—but they usually take time to develop.

Start building your presence while you’re still working, update your resume, create a LinkedIn profile or personal website, and consider taking courses or certifications to sharpen your skills.

I know one retiree who decided to take guitar lessons and than started writing songs and found he had a gift. He retired from being a business consultant and in retirement is now a song writer.

He is now collecting royalities for 6 of the 30 songs he has written. If you want to hear some of his songs look up Larry Pal on itunes, amazon, spotify, youtube.

Don’t overlook the financial impact. 

Will working affect your Social Security or pension? Will you owe quarterly taxes or need to adjust withholdings? This is where speaking with a financial advisor or tax professional can help you avoid surprises.

Retirement is not an ending—it’s a pivot point to something new. Reflect on what brings you purpose, whether it's extra income, social connection, or leaving a legacy.

Have ideas or experiences to share?

I’d love to hear from you in the comments or on LinkedIn. See you in the next post!

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