Most retirees get involved in SOMETHING after they retire.
Their avocations may be volunteer work, or they may get paid for their time & effort. Or it may be a self-employment initiative for which they HOPE to get paid--eventually.
It may be related to something they did as a career during their pre-retirement days--or it may be something entirely different.
The buzz word for this is "encore careers."
In today's economy, interest income is lower than anticipated, so many retirees are seeking something that pays at least a little--to supplement their Social Security and/or pension checks.
Bob and I both engage in encore careers: Bob by running his art gallery, framing and digital printing business (plus managing some rental property) and me through my hodge-podge enterprise, Amy Wilde Connections.
Since neither of these encore enterprises brings in a whole lot of profit, I also do a little part-time work. It's kind of my "grandchild, entertainment and travel money."
This fall I'm working a few afternoons each week at the local apple orchard--mostly in the orchard's warehouse and retail shop. Customer service is, well, customer service--no matter what you're selling. I hope to put the money I'm earning toward Christmas shopping--and some overdue dental work.
Through Amy Wilde Connections, I have funneled a small amount of contract lobbying, grant consultation, custodial work at my church, per diems for my participation on several boards and advisory committees, and desktop publishing work. (I expect that my Schedule C income next spring will include a pile of 1099s. Now you see why I call it a "hodge podge" business.)
In addition, I have done volunteer work, some of which reimburses my expenses. Most of this volunteering has been through the Area Agency on Aging, Meeker Council on Aging and the Dassel History Center. Most volunteer time finds me driving people to medical appointments and scanning and accessioning photos at the history center. Other volunteering has been at church, teaching Vacation Bible School or helping with nursing home services, or community service for the Dassel Red Rooster Committee and Community Chest.
Several friends are also engaged in Encore Careers. One is working part-time at a senior citizens residence; another is supervising student nurses at a state university. Another is working at a museum. Two guys I know are donning black suits and helping out during funeral services. Others are doing seasonal farm work, housecleaning or custodial work. One retired friend spent several years working part-time at McDonalds. One is a part-time director for a health and human services advocacy group. Two others help the county auditor during election season. Others babysit their grandchildren one or two days per week.
Volunteer activities also run the gamut, from Council on Aging work, to being a youth mentor, to political activism, to instrumental music.
I am interested in knowing what other retired friends are doing as their "Encore Careers." Let me know.
