Do you work part time in retirement?

[Sue J]

In 2006 I started working as a school crossing guard. I needed 7 quarters of social security credits to complete my 40 in order to ever get a benefit. I had been a full time mom but I needed to get this done so I took the job because it was the least commitment and just enough pay to earn the credits.

It turns out that I really enjoyed it! We never needed the money, I usually put my entire income into a Roth IRA. I finished earning the 7 credits in under two years and just kept going.

This spring it’s been 14 years and this is the longest I’ve ever had a job. Then COVID-19 happened and the schools closed March 13th. I’m hoping school resumes in the fall. I’m hoping the police department has the funds to continue the crossing guard program because I want to keep doing this. I truly enjoy it and it’s not about the money!

It’s just an hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon. Plenty of school holidays. And I can sit in my car if no one is coming to the crosswalk.

 

[ExFlyBoy5]

"Do what you’ll love, and you’ll never work another day in your life."

Meh. I have never been a fan of this saying. I'm not saying that it's not true, but as far as I am concerned, if you have to be PAID to do something, then it can't all be fun and games.

I have not w*rked for $ since I retired. As a matter of fact, with unemployment at record numbers, I think I have a duty to those that NEED a j*b to NOT TAKE a j*b away from them.

 

[Gumby]

Don't work. Don't ever plan to work. Don't know what other people do.

"Do what you’ll love, and you’ll never work another day in your life."

I must respectfully disagree. In my view, we sell young people a bill of goods when we tell them that. You should choose something you can stand that makes good enough money that you can quit before you get too old. I very much enjoyed what I did, but I never forgot that it was work. In fact, I never decorated my office in any way, just so that I could maintain the distinction between work and home. And when I had enough money to do so, I stopped.

 

[RunningBum]

Meh. I have never been a fan of this saying. I'm not saying that it's not true, but as far as I am concerned, if you have to be PAID to do something, then it can't all be fun and games.

I have not w*rked for $ since I retired. As a matter of fact, with unemployment at record numbers, I think I have a duty to those that NEED a j*b to NOT TAKE a j*b away from them.

Agreed. Even if I take a dream job like playing major league baseball, I probably wouldn't want to play on a super muggy night or freezing day. Especially if I did poorly and was getting booed by everyone, if I wasn't getting paid I'd say Screw It and walk away.

 

[RunningBum]

Apparently I'm going to start a new part time job chasing my GF's hot air balloon. I tagged along 3 times with another chaser to learn what to do (mostly the set up, or take down), but tomorrow I go solo if the weather holds. I told her I didn't want to be paid but she didn't seem to like that. Maybe we'll put the money in a vacation fund. She'll still use others for many of her flights.

 

[aja8888]

No one willing to pay money for labor wants me anymore.

 

[Animorph]

I did work part time for a few years. DW decided she wasn't ready to retire, so I had extra time on my hands. I worked at home, my own hours, for my old boss/friend, on interesting engineering problems. I enjoyed the time I spent doing that, and even got to apply for another patent.

Turns out the boss was a total workaholic. He ran through about $4M from selling his company developing new tech and prototypes that hadn't sold last I heard. He was going to be living on the funds he was saving for his kids. Not a great FIRE story there.

 

[wmackey]

Retiring in 16 days from my day job. I will be working after that, but as an Adjunct Professor. One night a week in the fall and spring for ~ 2.5 hours each night I teach. Love doing it, will probably keep teaching as long as I can and as long as they will have me.

 

[Ronstar]

- Do you do any paying work in retirement?

- How many hours a week do you work?

- What types of jobs are people doing in retirement?



Thank You.

In 6.2 years of retirement, I’ve worked about 50 hours wrapping up projects still lingering from my working days at my previous employer. Also did a couple of woodworking items and photography gigs early on. Nothing recent. I now turn down any work that people try to hire me for.

 

[Rustic23]

NO! In fact I avoid all work, even pay to have the lawn done. If I consider it work, I don't do it!

 

[RE2Boys]

So my view is I'm retired when I no longer have to work for $'s and no longer have to manage a career or resume.
My vision is I'll still do some part time work to provide some structure and enjoyment even when retired.
So my questions are the following:
- Do you do any paying work in retirement?
- How many hours a week do you work?
- What types of jobs are people doing in retirement?

Thank You.

Agree with your view of retirement. I retired at age 50 with one and three year old sons (20 years ago) primarily to put career demands behind! However, I've had earned income every year until 2019. First as a consultant for 1.5 years, too much like my career job. Then started my retirement career for the reasons you described. Became a seasonal tax preparer, at first for a national store front firm, moved on to a CPA firm. Typically, each year I would start in late Jan with 10 yours a week, slowly ramp up to 50-60 hours a week in late March & early April, and leave about April 18 for 9 months to live life.

Lots of unpaid jobs along the way as treasurer of what ever activities my son's were involved in soccer club, Scouts, pool club, etc., coach.

 

[street]

No, but I helped a few old friends do a few jobs in their profession. It has been about 60 hours a year total. Very physical work and love to get that exercise because it is good for me. I also enjoy their company and we have known each other for many years.

I consider that not working in retirement some might have a different view on that.

 

[rodi]

We have a granny flat we rent out... Some would consider that work but it really isn't since we've had the same tenants for almost 6 years. DH does the maintenance... Maybe 20 hours per year. I have the hassle of depositing the rent checks, lol.

I am on a few community boards (planning group, various working groups) that is probably 10-15 hours/month, but unpaid. I do it because I strongly distrust the local power brokers and feel they need an opposing view on local governing issues. But it's not fun.

Zero earned income since I retired.

 

[Mr._Graybeard]

I work a couple hours a month as a magazine editor/rewrite specialist, get paid $200 per job (monthly) on a contract basis. Maybe once a year I get called to do a little more work, but not much. I got recruited into the gig shortly after I retired, and it just keeps going at that low-key pace. The people are pleasant, usually thrilled to hear from me. The money is peanuts, but it's neat to see my name on the magazine masthead. I suppose it's my ego overcoming my good sense.

 

[samm]

I have taught two adult education courses since retirement.

The reward is not the $$, which is very little per hour when all time-costs considered, but the enjoyment of learning/teaching.

This all ended with Covid19.

 

[W2R]

- Do you do any paying work in retirement?

No! I would rather live in a cardboard box under a bridge and eat dandelions and worms than go back to work.

But Frank's choice has been to work part time occasionally, and he has done so for about ten years.

- How many hours a week do you work?

For me, zero! He typically works about 6-10 hours a week, although it varies depending on what acts are in town.

- What types of jobs are people doing in retirement?

He does sound and lights for musical acts down in the French Quarter.

He earns maybe a hundred dollars each week. Mostly what he gets out of it is a chance to hang out with, and socialize with a variety of musicians and entertainment industry people that he has known for half a century. Plus he gets to use his engineering skills to troubleshoot any technical problems with the sound system or lights, and to design and improve these systems.

During the pandemic, the bars have been shut down and when they were re-opened, no live music was allowed. So, he has only worked one or two nights since early March. It's given him a chance to think about whether or not he wants to continue now that he is growing older. No decision yet.

 

[rk911]

So my view is I'm retired when I no longer have to work for $'s and no longer have to manage a career or resume.
My vision is I'll still do some part time work to provide some structure and enjoyment even when retired.
So my questions are the following:
- Do you do any paying work in retirement?
- How many hours a week do you work?
- What types of jobs are people doing in retirement?

Thank You.

i did...for a while. was a volunteer (no $) for a few years at our local county history museum. i was also a school crossing guard for ~10-yrs ($) as was my wife for ~15-yrs (both of us were compensated). we both were also judges of election ($) for ~8-yrs. all of that is behind us and we both are blissfully, completely unemployed.

 

[Dash man]

After I retired seven years ago I developed an allergy to working. I pushed through the allergies to deal with some rentals, but eventually gave them up except for a shore house we rent for maybe 3-5 weeks per year. Even then, we pay for others to clean and do yard work.

 

[mountainsoft]

as far as I am concerned, if you have to be PAID to do something, then it can't all be fun and games.

I guess I'm one of a lucky few who would do my "job" even if I wasn't getting paid for it. The income is nice, but I've never struck it rich. Even if sales drop off to nothing, I'll probably keep doing it for my own mental stimulation and entertainment.

That said, I'm not retired yet. I don't know what life without work feels like. Even if I take a day or a week off, my wife still has to work. So, I might as well work too. I can only base my future on what my life is like today and where I "think" it is headed.

 

[deserat]

I'll jump in the water - I am fully working now, but have been semi-retired before and could retire fully now. I've thought about this question a lot lately and have narrowed it down to the following:

1) Work is doing something you don't particularly want to do but have to.
2) Depending on who you are, different things will be work or not work. Simple example: I hate dusting and mowing lawns; I like folding laundry.
3) Retirement to me is not having to work for money, i.e., you do something because you like it and it does not matter if you are remunerated or not.
4) For me personally, I prefer being a consultant on areas that interest me and will probably do that until I die or are unable to think; being paid for it is nice, but wouldn't necessarily be required. I will still read about and constantly educate myself in several areas of interest even when retired.
5) Hobbies can become work if you are doing something that requires a certain level of finish or capability to be paid. If you do something and then someone happens to want to pay you for the finished product, then that's a side benefit. However, if you are commissioned and/or the 'customer/client' wants changes, it moves over to work very quickly.
6) When I retire (which will be very soon), I will still consult but I will not be an employee again. I like getting paid for my opinion, but am no longer interested in getting paid for the accomplishment of someone else's agenda.

Was class of 2015, will probably be a final class of 2021

 

[atmsmshr]

So my questions are the following:
- Do you do any paying work in retirement?
- How many hours a week do you work?
- What types of jobs are people doing in retirement?

F*** NO! I would set up a cardboard condominium next to W2R under a bridge before working for wages again. (But upgrade to dog food for DW and I - better nutrition.)

Had lunch with a widower friend this week. (Outside patio with a breeze and water front at a grill. I came with a manly black face mask and he wore some pansy assed baby blue mask).

My retired 59 yo friend had just been offered a Directorship at a nuclear plant in Abu Dhabi for stupid money - $450k/yr, two year commitment. He turned it down last week. Good for him. After nursing his wife through her illness, he knows the value of time and money.

Now volunteering for a good cause (that does not jeopardize my health) is a different story. Right now I spend a few hours each week with the HOA - personally satisfying and forming some friendships with neighbors.

Currently, I would not get any joy from earning $10-$30/hr part time job and taking direction from some whippersnapper.

 

[Markola]

Work/Not Work doesn’t have to be a light switch. It can be a dimmer switch.

 

[scrabbler1]

Even though I wrote earlier that I don't do any work since I retired, I earn a teeny weeny amount of money from helping my (snake-bit) friend manage his portfolio and prepare his income tax returns. He pays me $120 per year for what amounts to on average an hour per month. During tax season, of course, I spend more of those 12 hours per year doing this stuff for him. Managing his portfolio includes making his Roth IRA purchase and taking his RMD from his inherited IRA. (He received a large inheritance in 2012 which increased my help from simply preparing his income tax returns to portfolio management.)


Over the 8 years of managing his portfolio, we have simplified his portfolio some and consolidated his holdings down to 4 accounts in 2 financial institutions (plus his local bank). Most days, I don't even look at his portfolio.

 

[Aerides]

I am no longer interested in getting paid for the accomplishment of someone else's agenda.

Oh I'm so stealing that the next time someone asks me if I'd ever go back to work!

I have a slightly-less-than-part-time business that I started while working. I can turn it off and on whenever I like, I'm not dependent on the income (but it's nice), and it has some tax advantages. I do it mainly for the creative outlet, and it certainly helped DH feel more comfortable with ER.

 

[flyingaway]

I have never claimed to be retired and never stopped working. I think that I am semi-retired.

The reason that I am not fully retired is because that once I retire, I will never look for a job again. So I need to build some buffers for my portfolio.