Working in retirement

[Boomer1]

How about the same question for working as for volunteering. The statistics i've seen suggest that a huge number of boomers will be working in retirement in order to sustain the lifestyle to which we have become accustomed.

What are some good strategies for finding interesting, renumerative work that we can look forward to?

[marty50]

Interesting question.

Vanguard has a new article out that says that the conventional view of retirement - working full-time until a set date in your 60s and then shifting to full-time leisure - doesn't line up with real-life experiences anymore. . The Vanguard study, “Six Paths to Retirement,” found that Americans approach retirement in a variety of ways, many of which involve “downshifting” .

Here are the 6 paths:
- Early retirees
- Still working
- Work & play
- Returnees
-Spousal retirement
-Never retire

You can find a copy of the study at vanguardretirementresearch.com

https://institutional.vanguard.com/VGApp/iip/Research?Path=PUBRR&File=RetResSixPaths.jsp&FW_Activity=ArticleDetailActivity&FW_Event=articleDetail&IIP_INF=BRRetResSixPaths.jsp

[jfb48]

My number one suggestion for finding meaningful or interesting work in retirement is to choose where you live very carefully. Places with booming tourist businesses or full employment will guarantee you your choice of jobs and possibly working conditions. Unless of course you have a portable skill (computer programming) and can work from a distance.

[youngatheart]

Employment is going to mighty important for all of us trying to live on our 401k's. So in my case i am going to look for places where there are lots of jobs. Places near resorts are at the top of my list - the hospitality industry always needs good people and they tend to be very flexible about hours.

As a matter of fact I wouldnt mind being a bag boy at a nice country club. Nothing like people shoving dollar bills at you while you enjoy the outside - and you can keep your shirt on!

[retirementguy]

Try Habitat for Humanity - they are doing very good work all over the country. http://www.habitat.org/

[Boomer1]

Since i originally posted this i ran into a raft of articles about the crunch that some people see coming when all of us baby boomers retire. Critical skills shortages etc.

Anyway, here is a link to that story:
http://www.topretirements.com/blog/financial/baby-boomers-in-drivers-seat-as-employers-fret-over-losing-them.html/

[6string]

I agree... I am planning to retire from the "working-to-make-a-living" group, to the more leisure "get-paid-doing-something-fun" group. I work as an engineer now, and when I retire, I'll kick my hobby into gear playing guitar in some local clubs or resorts, I hope! I do that now, too, and the money is very poor, but it allows me to buy wine and dinner so why not?

I know people that retire and then stay on as consultants, or part time in their field.... that just isn't what I wanna do or be anymore.

[jfb48]

Your local library wants you. There is a new study out about baby boomers and volunteer work. Favorite volunteer efforts are for religious organizations and libraries are popular too.
http://seniorfriendlylibraries.blogspot.com/2007/12/new-research-on-baby-boomer-volunteers.html

[honcho2]

i think i am like a lot of baby boomers - don't have much choice, i need to keep working in retirement. Fortunately there are lots of part-time gigs that are kind of fun in our area.

[lish63]

What about starting your own business and working from home. You can make your own hours and be your own boss. You no longer have to face the every day drudge of the commute to and from work and just think of the money that can be saved on gas alone. Guess where I live.

[Andrew_50]

I'm a retired software engineer. Now, I am finishing my first novel.

[helloc]

Staying active in work during my retirement years helping my daughter in her fashion endeavor. I mainly assist her in packing orders and delivering them. It can get really boring staying home. Also, delivering orders keeps me active.