Top 7 Jobs for Retirees

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Science teacher giving a lecture.

There may be a glut of post-9/11 veterans returning home after the drawdown, but that doesn't mean plenty of retiree veterans don't need to find work. It can be tough to look back at the job market after having left, or being old enough to leave, and not knowing what work would best suit you.

Whatever your concerns may be, if you're thinking about getting back into the workforce, don't let age stop you. Investopedia did a little digging and came up with seven top jobs for professionals who have retired. Check out our take on them below:

1. Consulting

If you don't want to break into a new field, you could leverage all the experience you gained in your old one. Consulting requires a bit of hustling, but if you have the expertise, then all you'll need is proper marketing and networking. If you adopt a truly professional attitude, there may be plenty of individuals and organizations who would like to take advantage of your expertise.

2. Craftsman

If you don't need to earn a large income and enjoy making unique items, retirement is the perfect time to turn up your production rate and earn a bit of money on the side. Whether you're making jewelry, statues, ornaments or clothing, handmade items can enjoy modest success. Many consumers want to purchase individually crafted items, because they come with a sense of personability that buying retail usually doesn't grant. Websites like eBay and Etsy can help make your crafting profitable.

3. Entrepreneurship

Starting a business is a goal that's hard to reach for many young people. Doing so takes time, money and experience, all of which aren't easy to come by. If you're retired and have some capital available, it might be time to start a company. If you're not working or committing the majority of your time to other ventures, make sure you spend as much time as possible researching and planning before implementing your idea. When time is on your side, the worst step you can take is to underprepare.

4. Art

If you've always wanted to do that one creative thing but just never found the time, post-retirement might be the ideal stage to pursue your artistic ambitions. You don't have to shoot for fame and fortune; plenty of artists enjoy success as teachers or by selling their creations online for modest sums. Whatever your reasoning, just let your passion for art guide you and figure out how to share it with others.

5. Working Online

If you know where to look, a lot of jobs are done completely online. This work tends to be on the lower-paying end, but it'll keep you busy and bring in extra money. Be on the lookout for positions like editor, writer, virtual assistant, tutor and online juror.

6. Retail Sales

It doesn't pay the best, but it will keep you active and among plenty of people. Retail work provides employees the opportunity to interact with others all day and stay on their feet. These jobs typically require a bit of energy, so if you like to move at a leisurely pace, this may not be the best fit for you.

7. Teaching

If you have a lot of experience and knowledge to share, why not make some money doing it? Plenty of teaching positions are available to retired individuals, including tutoring, part-time positions and day-care work. You don't usually need a teaching credential for these types of positions, so it may be the perfect way to make some money, spend time with people and share your wealth of knowledge.

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