You have dedicated your entire life to your career and now you are getting ready to ease into retirement. But in reality, you are not quite ready to live the life of a true retiree. You still want to remain engaged in the business world and make a contribution without the stress, long hours and commitment of working in an office.
As an experienced professional, you can still work, earn a living, and enjoy the perks of retirement while doing so on your terms. According to an article published in Forbes.com, LIMRA Secure Retirement Institute 27% of employees between 55 and 71 who are considering retirement said that they plan to work part-time in retirement while among retirees, 19% are in fact, working part-time.
Doesn’t it sound appealing to have the best of both worlds, retiring from the daily grind of your life-long career and still earning an income? Why not continue to work but do so when, how much and how often you choose? Seems like a win-win situation for anyone nearing retirement.
Studies show that professionals who continue to work in some capacity after retirement stay healthier, live longer and have greater financial freedom. For many retirees, they may truly enjoy their work but no longer want to be subjected to the hustle and bustle of the office environment or the stress of top-level management positions. Yet, staying intellectually engaged is critical for longevity and to keeping your brain in tip-top shape.
You can make your goals in retirement a reality by working remotely. By leveraging your many years of work experience and industry knowledge, you can continue to earn income from the comfort of your home. With the development of the digital workplace over the last decade and the expansion of the “gig economy”, it is easier than ever before for professionals to work as freelancers and remote employees.
Four Tips to finding remote jobs in retirement
- Plan ahead. The last thing that you want to do is find yourself in a difficult financial situation in retirement if you don’t have to. While jobs are plentiful, you do not want to be under financial strain before you go ahead and begin searching for a remote job. As you are nearing retirement, evaluate your finances and determine if you want or need to continue working as a retiree on a full-time or part-time basis, as a freelancer, consultant or even a remote employee.
- Self-evaluation. Working remotely is very different than working in an office according to a set schedule under the supervision of a boss or with co-workers. It will require you to work independently and autonomously. Ask yourself, are you disciplined enough to manage your own schedule, responsible enough to complete tasks and assignments, and to communicate effectively? If you can honestly answer YES to these questions, then working remotely in retirement may be for you.
- Embrace digital working (from the comfort of your home). In the digital world we now live in, having an understanding of and being comfortable with technology is of high value in your remote job search. There are many job opportunities out there based on your professional experience and skill level and depending upon your interests, various technical skills may be necessary. At the most basic level, you should be comfortable speaking on the telephone and navigating your way around a computer. While most companies will offer on-the-job training for their particular systems and processes, they will still want you to have some basic skills including effective communication through email and phone.
- Avoid to-good-to-be true offers. Unfortunately, retirees have been the victims of many work-from-home scams in recent years according to a survey by the Investor Protection Trust. Nearly 20% of those over 65 who are looking to work remotely have been scammed out of their hard-earned money. If you are searching online job boards or other opportunities, be wary of anyone asking for you to pay for anything or if they ask for bank account or social security information. Do your research. Do not feel pressured to accept a job or position on the spot. If you are uncomfortable, check with the Better Business Bureau or the Secretary of State to determine if this is a legitimate company and business opportunity.
Your ability to earn a living does not have to simply STOP just because you decide to retire. This may even be the perfect opportunity for you to try your hand at something new, something that you have been passionate about your entire life but never had the time to explore it further. With the vast number of freelance, remote and consulting jobs available, the world is at your fingertips during this new stage of your life. Why not take advantage of some of the opportunities or even forge your own path, starting a new business online!
