What jobs can seniors do from home?

Work-from-home isn’t just for youngsters! Many seniors want to stay engaged, and active, and add to their retirement income, and working from home can be a great solution. It’s flexible and convenient, especially for those with mobility issues, and it allows you to keep your skills fresh and contribute to the workforce.

You can offer consultation services in areas you have experience in, build a career as a freelance designer, editor, or writer, or do basic transcription and data entry tasks. If you have a talented voice, you could look at offering voiceovers for audiobooks, children’s stories, or videos. Whether you're tech-savvy or not, there's a work-from-home opportunity for you to help you keep your financial independence.

Jobs seniors can do at home

Here is a list of jobs that seniors can do from home to supplement their retirement income:

Remote customer service

For seniors with strong communication skills and a desire to help others, remote customer service roles are a great fit. Many companies hire remote customer service representatives to assist customers via phone, email, or chat, and the demand is growing.

While you will need some gadgets to help you connect to the hiring company’s clients, these roles often require surprisingly minimal technical expertise and offer flexible hours, making them perfect for seniors who wish to maintain a steady income while working from the comfort of their own homes. Since many remote customer service jobs are offered on a global scale, you can often choose hours outside the standard 9-5 too, if that appeals to you.

Freelance writing and editing

If you have a way with words and strong grammar, consider freelance writing and editing. This work-from-home opportunity for seniors allows you to use your writing skills to create content for websites, blogs, or other publications.

You can also proofread and edit content to improve its quality or offer ‘developmental editing’ and beta reading to aspiring authors. This can be a great way to experience new stories as well as mentor others.

Freelance writing provides flexibility and the ability to choose projects that match your interests, and you can easily manage the volume of work. Plus, it's a fantastic way to express your creativity.

Virtual Assistants and PAs

Becoming a virtual assistant is an ideal choice for organized and detail-oriented seniors, especially if you worked in a similar role in your active career. Virtual assistants help businesses with administrative tasks such as email management, scheduling, and data entry.

You can work for multiple clients, tailoring your services to their specific needs. If you have the relevant experience, you will even find legal and medical PA roles to fill. This flexible job allows you to work from home and put your administrative skills to good use, all while maintaining a work-life balance that suits your retirement lifestyle.

Online tutoring and TEFL

Seniors with expertise in a particular subject or skill can share their knowledge and earn money through online tutoring. There is a high demand for tutors in different subjects, languages, and even some hobbies. You can choose to work with students of specific age groups and work either one-on-one or as a group.

In a related career path, you can become certified to teach English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) for very little initial outlay. Tuition platforms are on the lookout for people with strong skills and related certifications like English and teaching degrees to help both children and adults in emerging markets like India and China improve their language skills. There’s also some scope for ‘conversation partners’, who don’t directly teach, but instead simply chat and help the student gain greater proficiency.

E-commerce and reselling

Do you have entrepreneurial grit? Then e-commerce and reselling may be for you. You can start an online store selling products you're passionate about or take advantage of platforms like eBay, Amazon, or Etsy to resell items you find at thrift stores, garage sales, or online marketplaces.

While it’s not as regular as some jobs on our list, this work allows you to set your own hours, be your own boss, and tap into your entrepreneurial spirit from the comfort of your home.

Remote consulting

If you have extensive knowledge and experience in a particular industry, consider offering remote consulting services. Businesses and individuals are often in need of expert advice, and you can provide it via phone or video calls.

Consulting can cover a wide range of areas, from business management to health and wellness. Many active seniors have returned to the industry they retired from as consultants!

Data entry and transcription

Data entry and transcription jobs are well-suited for seniors who are detail-oriented and have strong typing skills. Remote workers input data, transcribe audio files, or convert handwritten documents into digital formats. These tasks can be completed from the comfort of your home, allowing you to work at your own pace.

You will, however, need a basic home setup to help you, such as noise-canceling earphones and transcription foot pedals, but entry requirements are low and can be built over time. It's a reasonably reliable source of income that doesn't require extensive technical knowledge, although you will have to be interested in learning new technologies to thrive. For audio transcription, you will also need to still have great hearing, as files can often be muddy and unclear.

Remote bookkeeping and accounting

For seniors with a background in finance or accounting, remote bookkeeping and accounting can be a rewarding option. Small businesses often need remote professionals to manage their financial records, track expenses, and prepare tax documents. You will need the basic software for digital financial records (think QuickBooks or Sage) but will also be maintaining your financial skills and staying active in your field.

Online surveys and market research

Although far less lucrative and steady than other jobs on our list, participating in online surveys and market research studies can be a fun way to earn extra ‘beer money’. While not a full-time income source, these activities can provide supplemental income while allowing you to engage in interesting market research.

Voiceovers

There’s a wealth of industries needing voice acting, from YouTube videos to audiobooks and children’s stories, so you can pick a niche. If you’re good at voices and impersonations, so much the better! You will need a home setup that allows for crisp, clear, and interference-free voice recording. Voice acting is an ideal option for confident seniors who like a challenge.

You’re older, but you aren’t washed up! Seniors have a ton of work-from-home opportunities open to them, many of which will use your existing skills, interests, and preferences. Whether you want to maintain a steady income, embark on an entrepreneurial adventure, or simply earn extra cash in your spare time, there's plenty to keep you busy.