The Best Remote Jobs for American Retirees

SmartAsset: Better work-from-home opportunities for retirees

SmartAsset: Better work-from-home opportunities for retirees

Although retirement may be associated with leaving the workforce, most Americans plan to work after age 65. In fact, a 2022 study by the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies found that about 57% of workers plan to work full-time or part-time in retirement. Financial reasons and the desire to stay active were cited as the main motivating factors. Here are eight jobs that can keep you active, boost your income, and allow you to work remotely.

If you want personalized help managing your finances in retirement, consider working with a financial advisor.

8 great work-from-home opportunities for retirees

While there are a myriad of opportunities for retirees to work from home, here are some of the best that might fit the job and estimated salary, per salary.com as of May 1, 2023.

An accountant –

Accountants maintain a company’s financial records, including purchases, sales, invoices, payments, and other transactions. The work will require a high level of precision. And it will likely require some technological savvy given that many, if not most, businesses use software to manage their finances.

Best for:

Organized and detail-oriented workers with a solid understanding of basic accounting principles.

Average salary: $42,854

Telehealth nurse —

If you have a nursing degree but are hoping to transition to remote work, the growing demand for telemedicine may be a great opportunity for you.

Telehealth nurses “see” patients via email, phone, and chat. They also have video conferences and answer their questions, determine medical next steps, arrange follow-up appointments, and provide medical treatment.

If you’re ready to be matched with local advisors who can help you achieve your financial goals, start now.

Best for:

It’s good for people who already have a nursing degree, of course. And in a remote environment, communication skills become more important than ever to treat patients sensitively.

Average salary: $85,045

Administrative Assistant –

SmartAsset: Better work-from-home opportunities for retirees

SmartAsset: Better work-from-home opportunities for retirees

You can think of an administrative assistant as someone who takes care of the front desk, makes copies, and orders more coffee. But the remote role has slightly different responsibilities. You can expect to answer phone calls and emails, schedule meetings and appointments, and handle many things that keep a remote office running smoothly.

Best for:

It’s good for people with excellent customer service and time management skills. Being able to multi-task is a plus.

Average salary: $45,003

Paralegal —

Paralegals serve as assistants to attorneys, helping to investigate and research legal cases, maintain records, draft correspondence, and gather documents for trials. Job descriptions for a paralegal vary widely depending on the law firm, the type of law practiced, its size, and the paralegal’s level of qualification.

Best for:

Those who already have a certification or degree in paralegal studies, although the qualifications required to become a paralegal depend on the hiring company and an actual degree or certification is not always necessary.

On the other hand, if you’re interested, paralegal certification programs and associate degrees in paralegal studies can be relatively affordable and can take as little as 12 to 24 months of study.

Average salary: $58,630 to $117,990 (salary ranges vary widely)

Tutor

Tutoring is another profession with multiple possibilities, depending on the age and level of education of the students, the subject(s) taught, etc. You can be a generalist working with elementary school children on any topic they need help with.

You can also be a specialist who works with students on writing assignments, an ESL tutor who helps adults learn English, and all kinds of variety in between. Overall, a tutor works with students outside of their classes to help them better understand and implement the concepts they are learning.

Best for:

Patient people who are good at breaking down complex concepts into simple ideas and steps and have the required references. Some tutor positions only require a GED, while others may require a college degree in the subject you intend to specialize in, such as a bachelor’s degree in math for a math tutor.

Average salary: $42,422

Receptionist

A virtual receptionist performs the same role as a traditional in-person receptionist: ensuring that all customer concerns are addressed.

Although there is some overlap with a virtual administrative assistant, a receptionist will be more focused on the client side of the office than administration, answering phone calls and emails, assisting clients who need help, scheduling appointments and more.

Best for:

It’s good for those with good multitasking and people skills. And certain technological knowledge ensures that customers do not fall through the cracks in a remote office.

Average salary: $41,704

Customer Service Representative

In a physical retail store like a hardware store, a customer service representative might walk the floor and answer questions about what someone should buy for their next home improvement project.

In a remote business, customer service representatives have much the same goal: answering customer questions, helping them troubleshoot, and resolving issues.

Best for:

Patient people, excellent communication skills and a solid knowledge base about the products or services sold by their employer.

Average salary: $37,623

transcriber

SmartAsset: Better work-from-home opportunities for retirees

SmartAsset: Better work-from-home opportunities for retirees

The transcriptionist’s job is simple: you simply type the recordings. Some transcriptionists work exclusively in one industry. For example, they may work in the legal or medical industries, which requires a certain level of knowledge of the terminology used in that profession. Others may do general transcription work, typing whatever is necessary.

Best for:

It’s good for fast, precise typists looking for low-intensity work. While some may find this kind of work boring, the right person may find the audio or video they are transcribing interesting and enjoy the quiet.

Average salary: $41,453

Things to consider when searching for remote jobs Don’t get scammed

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), a common scam is for a fake company to hire you. And then they send you a check to buy some gear with the caveat that you have to send the extra money back. The check is in poor condition and will be returned.

The FTC advises you to review all job postings carefully, only apply to jobs on legitimate websites, and never rely on a “cleared” check your employer sends you.

Use your professional expertise

One of the best ways to find a new remote job is to use the skills you already have. You may be able to find a less demanding version that is far removed from your previous career. And stepping into that new job with your years of experience can be invaluable to your employer. And it can potentially net you a bigger starting salary.

For example, if you’ve had a career in publishing, you might be an excellent English teacher. You can help students understand grammar rules and improve their reading and writing skills.

Understand how work can impact your Social Security benefits

Working may still be the right choice for you, but let you know how your benefits could be affected. According to the Social Security Administration, while you can work and still get benefits, there’s a limit to how much you can earn before they start cutting your benefits if you’re under age. full pension.

In 2023, the limit is $21,240 for those under full retirement age. And that’s $56,520 for the year you reach full retirement age.

Conclusion

It is common for retirees to continue working in retirement. This may be due to financial reasons or simply finding ways to keep busy. However, you may not want to stay in the same career you worked in before. You may be looking for something less demanding, more flexible, or a job you can do from home. But before you decide to work, do your due diligence to find the right opportunities.

retirement advice

  • Consider working with a financial advisor to get the most out of all the benefits SSA offers. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be difficult. SmartAsset’s free tool connects you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, start now.

  • The SmartAsset Retirement Guide offers a calculator to show you how much you need to save for retirement. It also has a retirement tax benefit calculator to help you weigh various options if you move after retirement.

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