Best Side Hustles for Retirees: 15 Flexible Ways to Earn

Almost a quarter of Americans aged 65 and older hold some kind of paying gig in retirement. And the number is growing — not because retirees want to go back to work, but because retirement savings often fall short, inflation keeps pushing costs higher, and many retirees discover that complete leisure gets boring faster than expected.

The good news: you do not need a full-time job. The right side hustle gives you extra income, social connection, and purpose — on a schedule you control.

The bad news: most “side hustles for retirees” lists recycle the same generic advice without considering what actually matters to someone in their 60s or 70s. You probably do not want a physically demanding gig. You probably do not want rigid hours. And you definitely do not want to trade your hard-earned retirement freedom for a job that feels like… a job.

This guide covers 15 side hustles specifically selected for retirees — organized by flexibility, earning potential, and what they actually require. No fluff, no unrealistic promises.

First — This Is Important…

Hey, my name is Mark.

Many of the side hustles below require trading your time for money — which is exactly what you were trying to stop doing when you retired. Some are better than others for building income that does not require your daily presence.

The model I use generates $500–$1,200/month per digital asset. These simple websites earn income whether I am working on them or not. For a retiree who wants extra income without committing to a schedule, this approach means supplemental revenue that does not interfere with your retirement lifestyle.

Go here to see the exact system I use to do this

Here are the best options, grouped by what kind of retiree you are.

Best for Retirees With Professional Experience

1. Consulting

You spent decades building expertise. Companies will pay for access to it. Consulting lets you package your professional knowledge into hourly or project-based engagements — from home, on your schedule. Retired accountants, engineers, project managers, HR professionals, and marketing executives are all in demand.

Earning potential: $50 to $200+ per hour depending on industry and expertise. Some retirees earn $2,000 to $7,000+ monthly working just 10 to 15 hours per week.

How to start: Create a LinkedIn profile highlighting your expertise. Reach out to former colleagues and industry contacts. Join platforms like Catalant or GLG for consulting gig matching. This is one of the highest-paying side hustles available to retirees.

2. Online Tutoring

Teaching and tutoring consistently rank among the best-paying side gigs for retirees. If you have expertise in math, science, language, music, or any academic subject, students are willing to pay $20 to $80+ per hour for one-on-one instruction.

Earning potential: $20 to $150 per hour depending on subject and level. Languages and test prep (SAT, GRE, GMAT) command the highest rates.

How to start: Platforms like Wyzant, Tutor.com, and Varsity Tutors connect tutors with students. You set your own rates and hours. Retired teachers have an obvious advantage here, but expertise in any subject is valuable.

3. Freelance Writing or Editing

Retirees with strong writing skills can earn solid income as freelance writers, editors, or proofreaders. Businesses, blogs, and publications constantly need quality written content. Your life experience and professional background give you credibility in specialized topics.

Earning potential: $25 to $100+ per hour for specialized writing. Technical writing, medical writing, and financial writing pay the highest rates.

How to start: Create profiles on Upwork and Fiverr. Build a portfolio of 3 to 5 sample pieces. Target industries where your professional experience gives you credibility. For more on this path, see how to make money freelancing.

4. Bookkeeping

Small businesses need bookkeepers but cannot afford full-time staff. If you have a background in finance, accounting, or even detailed spreadsheet management, bookkeeping is a high-demand, low-physical-effort side hustle you can do entirely from home.

Earning potential: $25 to $50 per hour. A steady roster of 3 to 5 small business clients can generate $1,500 to $3,000+ monthly working part-time.

How to start: You do not need a finance degree. Online courses through Bookkeeper Launch or similar programs can get you ready in weeks. Quickbooks certification adds credibility. Market your services locally through small business groups and online job boards.

Best for Retirees Who Prefer Hands-On Work

5. Pet Sitting and Dog Walking

If you love animals, this side hustle combines income with companionship. Pet owners pay well for reliable, trustworthy care — qualities that retirees naturally bring.

Earning potential: $15 to $40 per visit or walk. Regular clients can generate $100 to $300+ per week. Overnight pet sitting pays $40 to $80+ per night.

How to start: Sign up on Rover or Wag. Build a profile with references and photos. Start with friends and neighbors to build reviews. Many retirees find this becomes one of their most enjoyable income sources.

6. Tour Guide

If you know your city well and enjoy meeting people, leading tours can be surprisingly lucrative. Food tours, historical walks, ghost tours, and neighborhood explorations are popular with tourists and locals alike.

Earning potential: $100 to $300+ per tour. Weekend-only tour guides in tourist areas can earn $500 to $1,500+ per month.

How to start: Research what tour companies already operate in your area and identify gaps. List your tour on Viator or GetYourGuide. Facebook and local community groups are excellent for marketing.

7. Handyman or Home Repair Services

Retirees with practical skills — plumbing, electrical, carpentry, painting, general repairs — can earn excellent hourly rates helping homeowners with projects. The demand is constant, and most customers prefer hiring someone experienced over a young, unproven contractor.

Earning potential: $30 to $75+ per hour. Many handy retirees earn $1,000 to $3,000+ monthly working a few days per week.

How to start: List your services on TaskRabbit, Thumbtack, or NextDoor. Word of mouth builds quickly once you do quality work for a few neighbors.

Best for Retirees Who Want to Work From Home

8. Selling on Etsy or eBay

If you enjoy crafting, collecting, or curating, online selling platforms let you convert hobbies into income. Handmade crafts, vintage items, collectibles, and antiques all sell well on Etsy. Used items, estate sale finds, and collector items thrive on eBay.

Earning potential: Varies enormously — $200 to $3,000+ per month depending on products, volume, and pricing. Retirees who focus on a niche they know well tend to earn the most.

How to start: Pick one platform and learn it thoroughly. Take quality photos. Price competitively. For detailed strategies, see our guides on selling on eBay, Etsy, and flipping items.

9. Virtual Assistant Work

Businesses need help with email management, scheduling, data entry, customer service, and social media. Virtual assistant work is entirely remote, flexible, and does not require specialized technical skills.

Earning potential: $15 to $30 per hour. Experienced VAs with specialized skills (bookkeeping, social media management, project management) earn $30 to $50+.

How to start: Platforms like Belay, Time Etc, and Upwork connect VAs with clients. Your organizational skills from decades of professional work translate directly to this role.

10. Online Course Creation

If you have deep expertise in any subject — woodworking, gardening, cooking, photography, finance, leadership — packaging that knowledge into an online course creates income that is as close to passive as it gets.

Earning potential: Highly variable. Courses priced at $50 to $200 that attract 10 to 50 students per month generate $500 to $10,000 monthly. The initial creation takes time, but ongoing effort is minimal once the course is live.

How to start: Platforms like Teachable, Udemy, and Skillshare handle the technical side. For a complete walkthrough, see how to make money selling online courses.

11. Renting Out a Room or Property

If you have extra space — a spare bedroom, guest house, or vacation property — short-term rentals through Airbnb can generate significant income with relatively little ongoing effort.

Earning potential: $500 to $3,000+ per month depending on location, property type, and seasonal demand. Even renting a single room in a desirable area can generate $800 to $1,500 monthly.

How to start: Research local regulations for short-term rentals. Create an Airbnb listing with professional photos. Start with competitive pricing to build reviews.

Best Low-Effort Options for Supplemental Income

12. Paid Surveys and Focus Groups

Surveys pay modestly ($3 to $8/hour), but focus groups can pay $50 to $200 per session. For retirees with genuinely idle time — watching TV, waiting for appointments — surveys convert dead time into small amounts of money. Platforms like Survey Junkie and Prolific are the most reliable.

For details on maximizing this income, see best survey sites that pay cash and best focus group sites that pay.

13. Delivery Driving

If you enjoy driving and have a reliable vehicle, delivery apps (DoorDash, Uber Eats, Instacart) let you work when you want and earn $15 to $25+ per hour. Many retirees prefer food delivery to rideshare because there is no passenger interaction required.

For more on gig apps, see best gig apps to make extra money.

14. Renting Equipment or Vehicles

Own a truck, trailer, pressure washer, lawn mower, or other equipment? Platforms like Fat Llama and Turo let you rent out items you own. This is passive income in its truest form — you earn money from assets that are otherwise sitting idle.

15. Website Testing

Companies pay $10 to $60 per test session for people to evaluate their websites and apps. Sessions typically take 15 to 30 minutes. Platforms like UserTesting, TryMyUI, and Userlytics connect testers with opportunities. For details, see get paid to test websites.

Side Hustles to Approach With Caution

MLMs and network marketing. These promise flexible income but statistically, over 99% of participants lose money. Avoid them regardless of how they are pitched.

Crypto day trading. Without expertise, this is gambling dressed up as investing. Retirees risking retirement savings on volatile assets is a recipe for financial disaster.

Any opportunity requiring upfront investment to a company. Legitimate side hustles do not charge you to work. If someone wants your money before you earn any, walk away.

How Side Hustle Income Affects Social Security and Taxes

This is something every retiree with a side hustle needs to understand, because the tax implications can reduce your effective earnings significantly if you are not prepared.

Social Security earnings test. If you are collecting Social Security before your full retirement age, earning above a certain threshold ($22,320 in 2024, adjusted annually) reduces your benefits by $1 for every $2 earned above the limit. Once you reach full retirement age, there is no earnings limit and your benefits are not reduced.

Self-employment tax. Side hustle income is subject to self-employment tax of 15.3% (Social Security and Medicare) in addition to regular income tax. This catches many retirees off guard. If you earn $10,000 from a side hustle, roughly $1,530 goes to self-employment tax before income tax.

Tax deductions. The good news is that side hustle expenses are deductible. If you drive for DoorDash, your mileage is deductible. If you sell on Etsy, your materials, shipping supplies, and platform fees are deductible. Track every expense to minimize your tax burden.

Quarterly estimated payments. Unlike W-2 employment, side hustle income does not have taxes withheld. If you expect to owe $1,000 or more in taxes, the IRS requires quarterly estimated payments. Failing to make these can result in penalties.

Consulting with a tax professional about your specific situation is strongly recommended — especially if your side hustle income is significant enough to affect your Social Security benefits or tax bracket.

Choosing the Right Side Hustle for Your Retirement

The best side hustle for any retiree depends on three factors:

Your skills and experience. Consulting and tutoring leverage professional expertise. Crafting and selling leverage creative skills. Delivery driving requires only a car and a phone. Match the hustle to what you bring.

Your desired time commitment. Some retirees want 5 hours per week. Others want 20. Make sure the hustle fits your lifestyle — retirement should still feel like retirement.

Your income goals. Need $200/month for extra cushion? Surveys and pet sitting work. Need $2,000/month to cover expenses? Consulting, tutoring, or online courses are more appropriate.

The Bottom Line

Retirement does not have to mean zero income. The right side hustle adds financial cushion, mental engagement, and social connection — without sacrificing the freedom you worked decades to earn.

For retirees who want income that does not require scheduled hours, physical labor, or trading time for money, here’s how I build simple websites that generate $500–$1,200/month each in recurring revenue. For the full model, see local lead generation.

Whatever you choose, pick something that fits your life as it is now — not something that makes retirement feel like just another job.