Article How to earn money doing part-time work you enjoy

With many of us expected to live longer into our Second 50 (the second 50 years of the potential 100-year life), it’s likely that most of us will break away from the traditional three stage model of ‘education, employment, retirement’ – and instead move towards living a more varied and flexible multi-stage life.¹

For many, retirement will be an exciting time to look forward to, with opportunities to relax and pursue personal hobbies and interests following decades of hard work. But for others, fulfilling personal interests and passions could feel out of reach, as we worry whether we’ve saved enough for the comfortable retirement we envision. In fact, according to our Second 50 research, one of the top later life concerns revolves around our finances, with 44% of us concerned about running out of money in our retirement.²

If you feel worried about not having enough money in your later life, or fear you won’t have time to do the things you enjoy, part-time work could help address both of your concerns. Interested? Keep reading for ideas on part-time jobs that may align with your interests.

What are some benefits of doing part-time work after retirement?

Deciding to return to work after retirement could be an incredibly fulfilling and rewarding experience – both in terms of your wellbeing and your personal finances.

Part-time work can help you balance your desire for more freedom while maintaining a regular income. This extra money could help strengthen your safety net in the event of an unforeseen financial challenge, as well as boosting your retirement savings by contributing more into your pension. If you meet the qualifying criteria, you may also be auto-enrolled into a workplace pension scheme, meaning you’ll benefit from both your own and your employers contributions.

Beyond these financial benefits, engaging in part-time work after retirement can benefit your overall health and wellbeing. It can keep you mentally and physically active, and support you to learn new skills. Plus, through interactions with others, it can help you stay socially connected.

How to pick a part-time role that suits your passion

It’s important to try and align any part-time work you do with your interests and talents. This could help you stay motivated, as you’re more likely to find the work you do rewarding. Here’s some suggestions to inspire your next passion project, according to your personality traits and skills.

The creative

The ‘creative’ is someone who is imaginative, expressive and shows a high enthusiasm for artistic pursuits.

Are you great with a paintbrush or excel at playing the piano? If so, consider taking up part-time tutoring in art or music. You can set up a profile online, which can connect you with students in your local area or virtually. Websites like these tend to have easy to follow step-by-steps on how to set up a profile, too.

Alternatively, if you enjoy crafts, you can try selling your handmade wares - from jewellery to candles and pottery - online on platforms such as Etsy, or by creating your own ecommerce store on Shopify. Be sure to research the market carefully, calculate how much your materials, time and labour are worth, and price your wares accordingly. You’ll need to cover your costs while also generating a profit. Visit the Government’s website for more tips on setting up a business.

If you like something a bit more face-to-face, have a think about what’s in your own local area. Is there a museum or art gallery close by where you could become a tour guide? Or is there a pottery or design studio which you could get involved in? Ask around. You never know who could be on the lookout for additional support.

The hands-on worker

Are you a keen DIY-er? Do you enjoy working with your hands and find satisfaction in creating or building things through physical effort? Put those skills to good use as a part-time handyman or carpenter. Whether you’re an ace at assembling flatpack furniture or a pro at painting and decorating, your services will be in high demand, especially among time-pressed homeowners.

Not only will such part-time work earn you extra cash, it’s also likely to help keep you physically active. Plus, the hours are flexible – you can set your own schedule and choose to take on as many or as few jobs as you wish.

You can sign up on platforms such as AirTasker and TaskRabbit, where you might be able to find suitable jobs that fit your skills and schedule. Otherwise you could consider leaving a business card on your local noticeboard or sharing your services on your community forum.

The numbers whiz

Do you have a head for numbers? Are you great at crunching data and understanding complex numerical concepts? If so, you could consider taking up part-time bookkeeping, which involves balancing cheque books and reconciling budgets for businesses.

Alternatively, if you enjoy teaching others, you can offer part-time mathematics tutoring by setting up a profile online to match with prospective students. You won’t need any formal licenses or qualifications, but it’s recommended that you have a GCSE or A-level in mathematics at a good grade.

The helper

If you have a compassionate spirit and find meaning in assisting others, you might be a ‘helper’.

Helpers are natural nurturers, often drawn to roles that involve care, community or hands-on assistance. As such, consider offering caregiving services on a paid basis – whether that’s babysitting, assisting the elderly with chores, or simply offering companionship to those in need. Platforms like Care.com enable you to find caregiver jobs in your local area. You most likely won’t need any formal qualifications – instead, what matters more is your attitude toward working with people who need additional support.

Love animals? Pet-sitting or dog-walking could be ideal options for you – try websites like Rover.com.

The outdoors enthusiast

As an outdoors enthusiast, you have a deep passion for spending time in nature and engaging in various outdoor activities. You might also have a keen interest in wildlife and plants.

Those with green thumbs can consider offering part-time gardening or landscaping services – you can search for jobs online on platforms such as Indeed.com and TaskRabbit. You can also find seasonal work at a national park, taking on a role as a ranger or warden during the busy months.

Want to combine your love for nature with your sociable personality? Consider finding part-time work as an outdoor tour guide. This could involve leading engaging tours – or even hiking and backpacking trips – if you have the fitness level for it!

And again, have a think about what’s close around you. Perhaps your local farm shop or garden centre are looking for farm hands. Working outdoors and getting stuck in with nature, whilst getting paid, could be easier than you might have thought.

The tech expert 

Do you have a deep interest in – and knowledge of – all things tech? And are you skilled in technical fields such as programming or hardware engineering? If so, consider offering part-time tech support – for instance, as a helpdesk engineer who provides fixes to faults logged by users. This would suit a tech expert who is exceptionally detail-oriented and great at troubleshooting.

Other tech-oriented part-time roles you could consider include web development, coding and SEO consulting.

Finding purpose and supporting your financial wellbeing in retirement

There are many opportunities to engage in meaningful and enjoyable part-time work after retirement. Not only can this provide you with increased financial security, but it can also give you a renewed sense of purpose and identity in later life. Learn more about saving and finding purpose in your retirement on our Money tips hub or in our report, The Second 50: Navigating a multi-stage life’.