Are you wondering what the best side hustle for retirees might be?
Retirement is a time to relax and enjoy life, but it doesn’t mean you can’t earn extra money if you want to. Many retirees look for side hustles to supplement their income, stay active, and pursue interests they didn’t have time for during full-time work.
Whether you want money for travel, to cover unexpected expenses, or simply to keep your mind busy, a well-chosen side hustle can be rewarding. The best opportunities let you work on your own schedule, align with your skills and passions, and add meaning without feeling like a return to a demanding job.
Below are some flexible, practical, and often low-stress side hustles ideal for retirees. These ideas include options to work from home, stay engaged in your community, or try something new—so you can pick what fits your lifestyle and energy level.
Best Side Hustles for Retirees
Here are strong side-hustle options for retired people who want to earn extra income while keeping flexibility and enjoyment.
1. Bookkeeping
Bookkeeping is an excellent part-time option for retirees who enjoy working with numbers. Small businesses and sole proprietors often need help managing invoices, tracking expenses, and reconciling accounts on a part-time basis.
Many bookkeeping roles are remote and flexible, letting you choose the hours you prefer. Retirees with finance or accounting experience can find this especially satisfying, but you don’t need a degree to get started—online courses and local classes can teach the essentials.
Experienced bookkeepers commonly charge $25 to $50 per hour, making this a steady way to supplement retirement income.
Bookkeeper Launch Course
Free training can teach you the basics of becoming a virtual bookkeeper so you can work from home and build clients.
2. Start a blog
Blogging can be a fun and flexible side hustle that lets you share your passions or expertise. You can write on topics like personal finance, travel, cooking, gardening, hobbies, or memoir-style pieces about your life and experiences.
Monetization options include advertising, sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, digital products, or selling books and courses. A blog lets you work on your schedule and grow an audience at your own pace, turning a hobby into a modest income stream over time.
Free courses and guides can help you set up a blog and learn how to attract readers and monetize content effectively.
3. Airbnb hosting
Renting out a vacation property, a spare room, or even an RV can generate regular income with flexible availability. You control when the space is available and what rules apply.
Short-term rentals can be lucrative in popular locations, while long-term rentals (for students or traveling professionals) can provide steady monthly income. Before starting, check local regulations and set clear expectations for guests.
With the right management and guest screening, hosting can be both social and profitable.
4. Photography
Photography is a creative side hustle with many paths: selling stock photos, offering family portraits, shooting events, doing food photography for local restaurants, or selling prints at markets. You can scale your involvement to match your energy—shoot occasionally for extra income or build a steady client base.
5. Freelance writing
Freelance writing is a flexible, home-based option. Use your life and professional experience to write articles, blog posts, product descriptions, copy for businesses, or even help with longer projects like ebooks and reports.
Many retired people enjoy writing because it allows them to focus on topics they care about while setting their own pace. Platforms and direct outreach to websites can help you find steady work.
6. Paid online surveys
Taking online surveys and participating in market research is an easy and low-effort way to earn extra cash or gift cards in your spare time. While it won’t replace a full-time income, surveys can add $50–$100 per month or more, depending on how much time you invest.
Survey sites vary in payout and frequency of invitations, so try a few reputable platforms to find ones that fit your preferences.
7. Crafts and selling on Etsy
If you enjoy making handmade goods—pottery, jewelry, knitted items, woodworking, prints, or other crafts—Etsy is a marketplace geared to creative sellers. Many retirees turn a hobby into a small business, selling items online and at local craft fairs.
Listing optimized products, clear photos, and good product descriptions help sales. Printables and digital downloads are another low-overhead option to consider.
8. Elder companion
Working as an elder companion or caregiver can be a meaningful side hustle for retirees who enjoy spending time with older adults. Duties range from companionship and social visits to light help with shopping, meals, and errands.
Families often look for reliable, trustworthy people to spend time with their loved ones. You can work independently or through local agencies, choosing the hours that fit your schedule.
9. Play games on your phone
Some apps pay users to play games, watch ads, or test new apps. It’s a casual way to earn gift cards or small amounts of cash while relaxing at home. Expect modest earnings, but it’s an enjoyable option for spare-time income.
10. Business consulting
Leverage decades of professional experience by consulting for small businesses. Consultants help with strategy, marketing, operations, or financial planning. This work can be done part-time, remotely, or onsite, and often pays well for the insights you bring.
11. Tutoring
Tutoring is a rewarding option for retirees who enjoy teaching. You can tutor students in academic subjects, help adults learn new skills, or offer test-prep services. Tutoring can be done locally or online, opening up more flexible scheduling and a larger client base.
12. Pet sitting and dog walking
Pet care is a popular retirement side hustle—pet sitting, dog walking, and overnight care let you spend time with animals while helping busy owners. You can advertise locally or use pet-care platforms to find clients and set your own hours.
13. Tour guide
If you enjoy storytelling and meeting people, leading local tours—walking tours, historical walks, nature hikes, or food tours—can be a fun way to earn money while sharing your knowledge of the area. Small towns and big cities alike offer opportunities for unique, niche tours.
14. Childcare
Babysitting and childcare are in-demand services. Many parents seek trustworthy caregivers for after-school care, weekend babysitting, or help during school breaks. Retirees can offer reliable, experienced care and build repeat clients in their community.
15. Campground host
Campground hosting is a wonderful option if you love the outdoors. Hosts often receive a campsite and utilities in exchange for greeting visitors, maintaining grounds, and sharing local information. Some positions also pay a small stipend. Hosts can work at state parks, national parks, or private campgrounds and often enjoy living in scenic locations.
16. Virtual assistant
Virtual assisting involves administrative tasks like answering emails, scheduling, data entry, social media support, and customer service. Many businesses hire part-time virtual assistants, and the work is typically remote and schedule-friendly. This role suits retirees who are organized and comfortable with basic computer tasks.
Proofreading Workshop
Free workshops can introduce you to proofreading and help determine whether it’s a good fit for a flexible, home-based role.
17. Drive kids to school with HopSkipDrive
Care-centered transportation services like HopSkipDrive hire experienced, vetted drivers to transport children to and from school and activities. This can be a purpose-driven side hustle with scheduled daytime hours and competitive pay per ride. Certification and background checks are required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about earning extra money in retirement.
How can I earn extra income while retired?
Consider home-based work like freelance writing, bookkeeping, tutoring, or virtual assisting. Other options include pet care, Airbnb hosting, consulting, and selling handmade goods—choose what matches your interests and schedule.
How can a retiree earn more than a pension?
Offering services that use your experience—such as consulting, photography, or tutoring—can generate meaningful income. Combining multiple small gigs can also replace or supplement pension income reliably.
How can I make $1,000 a month in retirement?
Mixing a few side hustles makes $1,000 a realistic goal. For example, pair short-term gigs like pet sitting or tutoring with online work like freelance writing or bookkeeping, or rent out a room to create steady monthly income.
What are the best at-home side hustles for seniors?
Top at-home options include tutoring, virtual assisting, blogging, bookkeeping, freelance writing, and selling digital or handmade products online. These roles often offer flexible hours and low startup costs.
Summary: Best Side Hustles for Retirees
Retirement offers the chance to earn extra income while pursuing interests and maintaining flexibility. Popular choices include blogging, freelancing, Airbnb hosting, pet care, selling handmade goods, consulting, and elder companionship.
Decide whether you want a light, occasional side gig or a more regular part-time role, and choose options that match your energy and skills. Many retirees combine two or more activities to reach their income goals while enjoying variety and balance.
Which retirement side hustle appeals to you most?
Recommended further reading on related topics includes resources about part-time jobs with benefits, experiences with many side hustles, early retirement case studies, and jobs that offer pensions.