10 Low-Stress Retirement Side Gigs to Boost Your Income After 60

Retirement should be a time of enjoyment and relaxation, but for many, financial concerns can cast a shadow over these golden years. The good news? Retirement side gigs offer a perfect balance – meaningful work that supplements your income without sacrificing the freedom you’ve earned. Whether you’re looking to fund travel adventures, cover rising healthcare costs, or simply enjoy greater financial security, these low-stress opportunities let you earn on your own terms.

Today’s retirees are redefining what it means to be “retired.” Many are discovering that part-time work not only provides extra income but also offers social connection, mental stimulation, and a sense of purpose. The key is finding opportunities that match your interests, skills, and desired lifestyle – without the stress of a traditional full-time job.

1. Online Tutoring: Share Your Knowledge From Home

With decades of knowledge and experience, retirees make exceptional tutors. Online tutoring platforms have made it easier than ever to connect with students from the comfort of your home, allowing you to set your own hours and rates.

Why Tutoring Works for Retirees

Margaret, 68, a retired high school English teacher, now earns $600 monthly tutoring students through VIPKid. “I work just 10 hours a week in the mornings, leaving my afternoons free for gardening and visiting my grandchildren,” she shares. “The extra income covers my travel fund, and I love still making a difference in students’ lives.”

Getting Started with Online Tutoring

Popular platforms like VIPKid, Outschool, and Wyzant connect tutors with students seeking help in various subjects. Most platforms handle the payment processing and student matching, making it easy to focus on teaching.

2. Crafting and Handmade Goods: Turn Your Hobby Into Income

If you’ve spent years perfecting a craft or hobby, retirement is the perfect time to monetize these skills. From knitting and woodworking to jewelry making and pottery, handmade items are in high demand in today’s market that values authenticity and craftsmanship.

Success Story: From Hobby to Profitable Retirement Side Gig

Robert, 72, turned his woodworking hobby into a $400-500 monthly income stream by creating custom cutting boards and small furniture pieces. “I started by selling to friends, then set up an Etsy shop. Now I work in my workshop when I want to, usually 2-3 hours a day, and the orders keep coming in. It’s the perfect retirement side gig – I’d be doing this anyway, but now it funds my fishing trips.”

Popular Crafting Side Gigs for Retirees

• Knitted or crocheted items (scarves, blankets, toys)
• Handmade jewelry and accessories
• Woodworking (cutting boards, small furniture, decorative items)
• Quilting and sewing projects
• Pottery and ceramics
• Painting and other artwork
• Handmade soaps, candles, and bath products

Where to Sell Your Crafts

3. Consulting: Monetize Your Professional Expertise

After decades in your career field, you’ve accumulated valuable knowledge that businesses and individuals will pay for. Consulting allows you to leverage this expertise on your own schedule, often at premium rates that reflect your experience.

Types of Consulting Opportunities for Retirees

James, 66, retired from a marketing director position and now consults for small businesses two days a week. “I help them develop marketing strategies they couldn’t otherwise afford. I earn about $2,000 monthly working just 8 days, and I love mentoring younger professionals while keeping my skills sharp.”

Setting Up Your Consulting Business

1. Define your specific expertise and the problems you can solve
2. Create a simple website or LinkedIn profile highlighting your experience
3. Set your rates (hourly, project-based, or retainer)
4. Network with former colleagues and industry contacts
5. Consider joining consulting platforms to find initial clients

4. Pet Sitting and Dog Walking: Perfect for Animal Lovers

For retirees who love animals, pet sitting and dog walking offer flexible, low-stress ways to earn extra income while enjoying the company of furry friends. This retirement side gig combines physical activity, companionship, and the satisfaction of helping pet owners who need reliable care.

Why It Works for Retirees

Pet sitting allows you to set your own schedule, choose which animals you’re comfortable with, and decide whether to host pets in your home or visit them in theirs. The physical activity of dog walking provides health benefits, while the companionship of animals can boost your mood and reduce stress.

Carol, 65, started pet sitting after retirement and now earns about $800 monthly. “I watch dogs in my home while their owners travel. It’s hardly work – I’d have my daily walks anyway, and now I have company and extra income that covers my property taxes each year.”

Getting Started

Platforms like Rover and Care.com connect pet sitters with pet owners in their area. These services handle payment processing and provide insurance coverage, making it easy to start without business setup headaches. You can also spread the word through neighborhood groups, veterinary offices, and local pet stores.

5. Transcription Services: Type Your Way to Extra Income

If you have good typing skills and attention to detail, transcription work offers a flexible retirement side gig you can do entirely from home. This work involves converting audio recordings into written documents for businesses, researchers, medical professionals, and content creators.

Types of Transcription Work

Equipment Needed

• Computer with reliable internet connection
• Quality headphones
• Foot pedal (optional but helpful)
• Transcription software (often provided by the platform)

Where to Find Transcription Work

Platforms like Rev, TranscribeMe, and GoTranscript offer flexible transcription opportunities for beginners, while Scribie and 3Play Media are good options as you gain experience. Most allow you to choose assignments based on your availability and interests.

The average pay ranges from $15-25 per hour once you’ve developed efficiency, though rates vary based on your speed and accuracy. Many retirees appreciate that this work can be done any time of day or night, making it easy to fit around other activities.

6. Monetizing Your Hobbies: Teaching, Selling, and Sharing

The hobbies you’ve enjoyed for years can become lucrative retirement side gigs with the right approach. Whether you’re an avid gardener, photographer, musician, or cook, there are multiple ways to earn from activities you already enjoy.

Ways to Monetize Different Hobbies

Success Story: From Hobby to Income

David, 70, turned his lifelong photography hobby into a $350-500 monthly income stream. “I teach a beginner photography class at the community center twice a month and sell prints at our local farmers market. It keeps me active, connects me with people who share my passion, and funds my camera gear upgrades.”

Getting Started

Begin by assessing which aspect of your hobby might be most marketable – teaching, creating products, or providing services. Start small, perhaps offering a workshop through your local community center or selling items at a neighborhood event, then expand based on the response.

7. Home and Space Rental: Leverage Your Property

If you have extra space in your home or property, renting it out can provide substantial passive income with minimal effort. This retirement side gig is particularly attractive for those who own homes in desirable locations or have more space than they need.

Rental Options for Retirees

Income Potential

Earnings vary widely based on your location, the space you’re renting, and how frequently you make it available. In popular areas, a spare room might generate $500-1,500 monthly, while renting your entire home occasionally could bring in $1,000+ per week during peak seasons.

Barbara and Tom, both 67, rent out their finished basement apartment on Airbnb. “We earn about $1,200 monthly with minimal work – just cleaning between guests. The income covers our property taxes and travel fund, and we’ve met interesting people from around the world.”

Getting Started Safely

• Check local regulations and HOA rules regarding short-term rentals
• Consult your insurance agent about proper coverage
• Start with a reputable platform that offers host protection
• Create clear house rules and boundaries
• Consider starting with shorter rental periods until you’re comfortable

8. Virtual Assistant: Administrative Work on Your Terms

If you have organizational skills and experience in office administration, becoming a virtual assistant offers flexible work you can do entirely from home. This retirement side gig leverages skills many retirees developed throughout their careers.

Common Virtual Assistant Tasks

• Email management and correspondence
• Calendar scheduling and appointment setting
• Travel arrangements and planning
• Basic bookkeeping and invoice processing
• Social media management
• Customer service support
• Research and data entry

Why It Works for Retirees

Virtual assistant work is highly flexible – you can choose your clients, set your hours, and often work entirely remotely. Many small business owners and entrepreneurs need part-time help managing administrative tasks but don’t want to hire full-time employees, creating perfect opportunities for retirees seeking 10-15 hours of work weekly.

The average pay ranges from $15-35 per hour depending on your skills and the complexity of tasks. Specialized skills like bookkeeping, social media expertise, or industry-specific knowledge can command higher rates.

Finding Virtual Assistant Work

Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Virtual Assistant Jobs connect virtual assistants with clients. You can also network with former colleagues or local small business owners who might need administrative support.

9. Seasonal Retail and Tourism Work: Engage with Your Community

Seasonal work offers retirees the perfect balance – periods of engagement and income followed by time off. These retirement side gigs typically align with natural rhythms of busy and quiet seasons, allowing you to work when it suits your schedule.

Popular Seasonal Opportunities

Benefits Beyond Income

Seasonal work offers social engagement and community connection along with income. Many retirees appreciate the structure and purpose these positions provide, along with employee discounts that can be substantial at retailers you already shop with.

Richard, 71, works at a garden center each spring. “I’ve always loved gardening, so helping customers select plants is enjoyable. I work 20 hours weekly for three months, earning about $3,000 total, plus I get a 30% discount on plants for my own garden. It’s the perfect seasonal arrangement.”

Finding Seasonal Opportunities

Look for “now hiring” signs at businesses that experience seasonal rushes, check job boards like Indeed for “seasonal” positions, or inquire directly at places you’d enjoy working. Many employers value mature workers for their reliability, customer service skills, and flexible schedules.

10. Freelance Writing and Editing: Leverage Your Communication Skills

If you have a way with words, freelance writing and editing can be ideal retirement side gigs. These opportunities allow you to work from anywhere, set your own schedule, and often choose topics that interest you.

Types of Writing and Editing Work

Why It Works for Retirees

Writing and editing work can be done entirely on your schedule, with no physical demands beyond typing. You can take on as much or as little work as you want, making it perfect for those who want to balance income with leisure time.

Many retirees find they can leverage industry knowledge from their careers to specialize in particular niches, commanding higher rates for their expertise. For example, a retired healthcare professional might focus on medical content, while a former teacher might excel at educational materials.

Finding Writing and Editing Opportunities

Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Contently connect writers with clients, while sites like ProBlogger and MediaBistro list content creation jobs. Local businesses, nonprofits, and publications often need writing help as well.

Pay varies widely, from $15-25 per hour for general content to $50-100+ per hour for specialized writing or editing. As you build a portfolio and client base, you can increase your rates and become more selective about projects.

Balancing Side Gigs with Your Retirement Lifestyle

The ideal retirement side gig enhances your life rather than dominating it. Here are practical tips for maintaining balance while earning extra income:

Setting Boundaries

Health and Well-being Considerations

Choose side gigs that match your physical capabilities and energy levels. Consider how the work affects your stress levels, sleep patterns, and overall well-being. Remember that the primary purpose of a retirement side gig is to enhance your life, not create additional strain.

Tax Considerations

Remember that income from side gigs is typically taxable. Set aside a portion of your earnings for taxes, track business expenses that may be deductible, and consider consulting with a tax professional to understand how additional income might affect your overall tax situation and Social Security benefits.

Finding Your Perfect Retirement Side Gig

The best retirement side gigs align with your interests, skills, and desired lifestyle while providing meaningful income without unnecessary stress. Whether you choose to teach online, create handmade items, share your professional expertise, or explore any of the other opportunities we’ve discussed, remember that this work should enhance your retirement rather than dominate it.

Start by experimenting with one side gig that interests you most. You can always adjust your approach or try something different as you discover what works best for your situation. Many retirees find that the perfect arrangement involves seasonal shifts or combining multiple smaller gigs that together create their ideal balance of income, engagement, and free time.

Remember that retirement side gigs should bring joy and purpose along with extra income. By choosing opportunities that align with your interests and respecting your need for balance, you can create a fulfilling retirement that’s financially comfortable and rich in experiences.