6 Side Hustles Boomers Are Using in 2026 To Supplement Their Social Security Income Monthly
Written by
Jennifer Taylor
Edited by
Rebekah Evans
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Retirees don’t have to work hard for the money. There’s plenty of flexible options with little-to-no physical demands to supplement your Social Security income.
You might find a side gig that feels more like a hobby or put your decades of experience to work — but only for part of the week. Keep reading to discover six side hustles boomers are using to inflate their wallets.
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Pet Sitter
- Average pay: $45 to $75 per night, according to Rover
If you’re animal lover, get paid to care for other people’s pets. Petsitting sites like Rover allow you to connect with pet parents in need of assistance. Set your own rates, terms — i.e., whether you care for pets in their home or yours — and the type of pet(s) you wish to watch.
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Bookkeeper
- Average pay: $23.66, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
Ideal for a former accountant, do the books for companies that don’t require full-time help. Tailor your client load to the amount of hours you want to work per month.
Tutor
- Average pay: $19.27 per hour, according to the BLS
Sites like Tutor.com let you tutor students virtually, so you can work from home. If you were a teacher, this would be an obvious choice. However, many retirees turn other decades-long career knowledge into a specialized tutoring niche.
Teach Music Lessons
- Average pay: $40 per hour, according to Indeed
Skilled musicians can turn their hobby into a money-making gig. Teach piano, guitar, violin or even voice lessons to local students. Advertise your services at local music stores, community message boards or even by reaching out to school music teachers.
Rent Out Extra Parking Space
- Average pay: $100 to $500 per month, according to Spacer
If you have a parking space you don’t use, rent it out on sites like Spacer or Neighbor. The easiest passive income, you’ll collect a monthly check without lifting a finger.
Mock Juror
- Average pay: $30 to $60 for online case reviews and $75 to $100 for virtual mock trials, according to Online Verdict
Review and respond to legal cases in your local area, with Online Verdict. Enjoy working from home and having the flexibility to choose which cases you review. You can also participate in virtual mock-trials over Zoom on a specific time and date.
How Side Hustle Earnings Impact Social Security Benefits
It’s important to know the rules when working while receiving Social Security benefits.
If you’re under full retirement age for all of 2026, you’re considered retired in any month your earnings are less than $2,040 and you didn’t engage in substantial self-employment work, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA). On the other hand, if you reach full retirement age in 2026, you’re categorized as retired in any month your earnings are less than $5,430 and you didn’t complete substantial self-employment work.
Until you reach full retirement age, your benefits will be reduced if your side hustle wages surpass the annual earnings limit. After you reach your full retirement age, there’s no limit on the amount you can earn and still receive your full benefit, according to the SSA.
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