Some individuals dream of a day when they can do absolutely nothing. To them, retirement is a euphoric future of sleeping in, lounging in the sun, and thinking as little as possible for the next 30 years of their lives. And then there are others who dream up retirement business ideas.
With many retirees concerned about running out of money during their retirement, doing nothing simply isn’t an option. After a few vacations and re-evaluating what retirement means to them, many people decide to nurture a business idea they have had in mind for a while — or turn a newfound hobby into a money-making venture.
We have compiled a shortlist of retirement business ideas. These business ideas can put your decades of skill and expertise to work.
Consulting
Many retirees have amassed a wealth of knowledge and experience throughout their careers. Why not lend that expertise to those who could benefit from it, and earn a decent paycheck in the process?
The wide world of consulting spans every industry. There are consultants for everything from:
- IT projects
- Corporate infrastructure
- Business efficiency
- Planning
- Logistics
- Marketing
Additionally, consulting offers great business opportunities after retirement for those who would rather help private citizens.
Consultants help people with things like personal finance, organization, time management, and a whole host of other topics. In fact, many consultants can work from a home office, which means they do not have to endure the daily commute.
Landlord/bed and breakfast owner
If you find yourself talking to a millionaire in the near future, chances are that they own (and rent out) some property. Real estate is an excellent investment, plain and simple. It always has been and it probably always will be.
Don’t consider yourself hard-nosed enough to deal with those inevitable tenants from hell? Then maybe a B&B is more up your alley. Buy a home in a touristy area, serve a decent breakfast, and enjoy interacting with couples from all around the world!
Bed and breakfasts obviously aren’t as passive as rentals, but if you like interacting with and serving others, then this might just be the fun business idea you’ve been looking for.
Join a franchisee
Of all the small retirement business ideas to start after 50, this one regularly captures the most attention. It’s attainable, understandable, and someone out there is willing to walk you through the process (because of course, it’s in their best interest to do so as the franchisor).
No, McDonald’s is not the only wicked-awesome franchise out there (in fact, strike it off your list if you don’t already own one – they’re not looking for newbie franchisees). There are dozens of other franchises with fantastic track records (and they’re not all restaurants either)!
Life coach or mentor
As a forward-thinking and business-minded retirement-age person, you have been there and done that. This puts you in a great position to help others climb the ladder and give them the advice they need to succeed.
Becoming a life coach or mentor can be done without any certifications and only your experience as proof of your abilities. With so many people working toward laying their own foundations, they need your help to discover what is next on their path to success.
Virtual assistant
Many small business owners and entrepreneurs rely on virtual assistants to keep their costs down. Virtual assistants might schedule meetings or projects, make phone calls, input data, create spreadsheets, or even help with writing or graphic design tasks—all from their homes.
You might connect with people who need virtual assistants through freelancing platforms like Upwork, or you might form your own virtual assistant business and market yourself based on your specific skills.
Financial advisor
As a financial advisor, you can use your knowledge to build financial plans based on a client’s goals and budget. There are many 20-somethings that are working overtime to position themselves as seasoned financial advisors.
But the over 50 crowd has something that they don’t: life experience. Sometimes consulting is a great way to give back.
Start a blog or podcast
It’s one of the common retirement business ideas.
If you have a lot to say about a subject and you enjoy writing or having a good conversation, then you could easily share your knowledge on any number of subjects through a blog or podcast. These mediums are easy to monetize and can create a fun, steady income during retirement that doesn’t bind you to a certain location.
Start a freelancing business
Perhaps you’re not ready to hang your hat on your career just yet but you are ready to move towards retirement. You could offer your talents to others as a self-employed freelancer, taking only jobs that interest you and serve your goals.
In order to keep your finances in order for tax purposes, it’s important to use a high-quality accounting service for freelancers that comes with crucial features such as invoice reminders and automatic payment reconciliation.
Pet care
Many seniors already provide childcare for family and neighbors. However, it might not occur to them to offer these services for animals in need. With the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters estimating that Americans spend $47 billion a year on their fluffy, feathered, or finned friends, the opportunities for earning money in this field are virtually endless.
You could sit for pets when their owners are out of town, walk dogs during the day, or even offer grooming or dog training services. Many people will pay a premium for the knowledge that their pets are safe and loved when they can’t be there to offer care.
Closing thoughts
There is no right or wrong way to retire. When time is right to enter retirement years, there are plenty of things you can do to occupy your time. You can fulfill and relax without even having to dip into your retirement savings.
There are plenty of opportunities for the over 50 crowd to start a business. You can generate an income while still leaving plenty of room for travel, hobbies, and spending time with loved ones.
Remember: this is not a comprehensive list. You can look online and find that your possibilities are endless when it comes to retirement business ideas. So spend your time wisely and do what has meaning for you.