Find a Post Retirement Job
Ready to cash in on your retirement benefits and look to do something else in your life? There are many job opportunities for people who decide to retire, but keep working.
Steps
- Plan ahead. Before you officially retire, do your planning. Find out the specific details about your retirement package to learn if your post-retirement job must supplement your retirement annuity or if financial needs will not be a driving factor in what work you will be seeking when you have that gold watch firmly in your pocket.
- Search potential employers. If your post-retirement needs mandate bringing in a stable income, then you should identify next potential employers who will value your expertise. These choices include working for a government contractor or becoming a consultant. This type company seeks people with specialized knowledge or skills they can immediately put to use. You can also go to work for the government, a stable employer who is currently looking to supplement their own exiting retirees with experienced workers from private industry. If you already work for a government agency, you could look to work for a different agency where your talents could be valued. Another viable option is to teach at a community college or four-year institution. One of the benefits of working in the educational community is the ability to take classes and to work with young people.
- Use the Internet to search for work. There are many web sites available where you can create agents (automated searches) for jobs you think would interest you after you retire. Higheredjobs.com is a good example if you want to find a faculty or administrative position on a college campus. Email alerts come each week listing positions matching specified search criteria. Monster.com and many others have agents to help you find that interesting, exciting post-retirement job that will support your continued need for intellectual stimulation, personal growth, and financial stability.
- Volunteer. If your post-retirement needs for income are less urgent, consider volunteering. If you can afford to work for little or no pay, there are boundless opportunities available to you. Many museums, art galleries, community centers, hospitals, churches, camps, schools, county and local governments, etc. need experienced and reliable people to help them meet their obligations to their constituents. You could also take classes to develop an interest, which may become a future source of enjoyment and potential income. Many community colleges offer classes tuition free to seniors.
- Subscribe to an association that looks out for the rights of retired persons. Your membership will ensure continued lobbying and legal support on Capitol Hill and at the state and local government level. In return for your membership dues, you will receive publications filled with useful information directly written to help make your retirement years everything you expect. Perhaps the most valuable aspect of joining one of these organizations is to stay connected. For example, you will receive emails and hard copy magazines/newsletters that will let you know how proposed law changes will impact your pension. You will find groups of retirees who hold regular meetings in your local area, so if you are inclined, you can meet new people and get involved in your community.
- Use online networking resources and to hone skills. One last place to hone your skills and contribute is going online. You can help make the world a better place by writing articles for wikiHow to ensure your expertise from years of working is available to others who come behind you. Another excellent medium for keeping in touch is to join a social network and find current and past friends. There are also social networks for maintaining professional relationships with your previous work acquaintances. One such network is Linkedin.com.
Tips
- It's illegal to discriminate against people for their age. Do not let anyone discourage you from applying for any position because you are retired.
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