6 Remote Jobs That Can Help Retirees Supplement Social Security
Written by
J. Arky
Edited by
Chris Cluff
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Hanging up your career and retiring does not negate you from needing money to live in your golden years. Retirees, now more than ever, are looking for ways to supplement their Social Security income with side gigs, part-time jobs and other work.
One of the best ways that retirees can add a little more to their bank accounts is by taking on remote work. During the Covid-19 pandemic, remote work saw an influx — and the trend has continued ever since, leaving an opportunity for seniors to cash in on new income streams.
Retirees, however, are required to stay under an income limit while taking Social Security. For 2024, that limit is $22,320. After that, the Social Security Administration will deduct $1 for every $2 earned.
With that in mind, here are six remote jobs that can help retirees supplement their Social Security. Also see side gigs that could threaten your Social Security.
Freelance Writing
- Average Wage: $25 to $75 per article
Sites such as Upwork, Freelancer and ProBlogger offer loads of opportunities. If you have strong writing skills and want to use your post-work years to contribute to magazines, blogs and websites, this might be the remote job for you.
“Freelance writing allows retirees to work as much or as little as they want, making it easy to manage earnings under Social Security income limits,” said Max Shak, founder & CEO of nerDigital, a digital marketing company.
Allan Vu, the founder of Work Remote Now!, said this gig has “flexible hours, remote work and the opportunity to work on a variety of projects and topics.”
Online Tutoring
- Average Wage: $15 to $50 per hour
Retirees put their expertise in subjects such as history, math, science and languages to tutor students online via websites such as Wyzant, Tutor.com and VIPKid, according to Shak.
“Online tutoring is flexible, allowing retirees to schedule sessions around their availability and manage their total income effectively,” Shak said.
Vu said the overhead is fairly low, too, saying all you need is a bachelor’s degree and internet connection.
Customer Service Rep
- Average Wage: $10 to $20 per hour
Customer service representatives are hired by all sorts of companies to manage inquiries and support tasks as the first line of communication.
The great news for retirees is that many companies now hire these positions to work remotely from home.
“This role typically involves answering calls, responding to emails and providing assistance to customers,” Shak explained. “Companies like Liveops, Working Solutions and Arise offer remote customer service positions with flexible hours, making it easy for retirees to balance work and income limits.”
Virtual Assistant
- Average Wage: $15 to $30 per hour
A virtual assistant is someone who can work remotely and offer administrative support to clients.
“This job is ideal for retirees who are organized and tech savvy,” Shak said. “Websites like Belay, Time Etc and Zirtual provide opportunities for virtual assistant roles, allowing retirees to work part time and control their earnings.”
Virtual Bookkeeping
- Average Wage: $20 to $50 per hour
Do you happen to have a background in accounting or finance? Then virtual bookkeeping might be the ideal fit for your remote job in retirement.
“This job is flexible and often part time, ensuring retirees do not exceed Social Security income limits,” said Ben Klesinger, the co-founder and CEO of Reliant Insurance Group.
Data entry can be an offshoot of this gig, meaning you could find yourself getting more hours and more pay the more figures you implement into the system.
Vu said a retiree needs only to have “basic computer skills, attention to detail and reliable internet connection” to get the job done.
Transcription Services
- Average Wage: $15 to $30 per hour
Converting audio recordings into written text is the role of a transcriber, which can be contracted out or hired in house. Either way, it is a perfect fit for a retiree with excellent typing skills who is a good listener and can do this job with flexible hours from home.
“Companies like Rev, TranscribeMe and Scribie offer transcription work with flexible schedules,” Shak explained. “Retirees can choose projects that fit their availability and manage their income.”
For those with experience in healthcare, medical transcription is a viable option, according to Klesinger.
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