Working into Your Retirement Years

Health science and technology are improving every day; people are living longer than ever before. This means more retirees have longer, healthier years to enjoy to the fullest. Some keep busy travelling or with family, but others crave work. Suddenly jumping from a lifelong career to having all the time in the world can be quite a shock. Take the time to discover what retirement means to you. Consider these options in helping you find a way to gracefully balance working into your retirement and living the best years of your life.

Be Your Own Boss

Staying healthier and energetic for longer means more opportunities to do the things you’ve always wanted to do. Perhaps you’ve always wanted to become a wedding planner, run your own café, or become a consultant? With so many years of experience, you have unique industry knowledge to offer fellow businesses and customers. The best part? With fewer dependents and more life wisdom, you have a better chance of being successful. There is no better reason than to take retirement as an opportunity to grab hold of the entrepreneurial adventure and have fun while doing it! 

Volunteer

If you are looking for new experiences, hobbies, or ways to contribute, consider volunteering. Research shows how valuable volunteering can be for your overall well-being. It opens opportunities to bring purpose and community to your life by helping others in a meaningful way. With volunteering, you can be involved with like-minded people supporting causes you are genuinely passionate about. Below are some great opportunities to volunteer:

Local Volunteer Opportunities

• Church
• Disaster Response
• Non-Profit
• SPCA
• Other

Have the Best of Both Worlds

Who says you have to choose between retiring and working? If you’re regularly volunteering or find yourself focused on a new job or opportunity, the last thing you want to worry about is your home. Retirement is about freedom, not responsibilities, so you may benefit from considering an independent living community.

According to SeniorAdvisor.com, independent living is referred to by many names: retirement living, “active adult living, and 55+ living. All of these terms describe communities that offer housing (usually private apartments, suites, or rooms) for seniors who are healthy enough to live without daily nursing care or personal care assistance.

Retirement living communities with all-inclusive services allow you to come home to a home-cooked meal and a clean bed – no more worrying about mowing the lawn, doing the laundry, or cleaning the kitchen. Choosing an independent living community can free up your time to focus on what you’ve always wanted.

Do Your Research

Retirement is full of freedom and endless possibilities. These are years for you to enjoy, however you want. However, this isn’t always the case, as more and more aging adults are running into financial stress during retirement. With longer, healthier years ahead and changes in investment markets, making educated decisions is a must. If you’re lucky enough to have a pension but still want to supplement it with additional income, consider the potential consequences to your Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement.  

Researching where you want to work is just as important. These years are for you, no one else. This can still apply to who you work for, where you work, and what your work entails. Below are some great paths from Great Senior Living to look into:

Goal: No Labour

• Temporary Administrative Assistant
• Accountant
• Tutor

Goal: Meeting New People 

• Teacher Assistant
• Librarian Assistant
• ESL/FSL Teacher
• Hair Stylist
• Travel Blogging

Goal: Using a Talent or Skill

• Singing
• Teaching Music
• Running a Theatre Program
• Blog Writing
• Painting
• Selling Crafts on Etsy
• Baking
• Photographer

Goal: Staying Active

• Babysitting
• School Bus Monitor
• Dog Walker
• Ecotourism Guide
• Fitness Trainer
• Handyperson
• Coach/Referee
• Gardener

Whether you are considering working into retirement for extra finances or to embrace a new hobby, retirement is about having it all. Start brainstorming what lights you up and go after it! After all, retirement doesn’t have to wait until you stop working. 

If you are interested in learning more about independent living in British Columbia, BCSLA has a member directory of over 175 members committed to a brighter and better future for older adults and redefining what retirement means!