Resources - Mature Market Headlines

Best Part-Time Gigs for Baby Boomers

AOL, 2/25/08

Abstract:

At a time when the majority of men and women expect to work beyond their retirement, many baby boomers will use this time to shift gears in their careers. In fact, 80 percent of today's 76 million baby boomers plan to keep working in the future and more than half of them are interested in pursuing new careers, according to a Merrill Lynch survey.

When it comes to seeking a new career or continuing to work for the same employer, many boomers will opt for part-time employment. This option is particularly appealing for boomers who want flexibility in their schedules or cannot find full-time employment.

"A part-time job can keep you physically, mentally and socially active and perhaps allow you to experiment with a new work role without the commitment and energy drain of a 40-hour work week," says Laurence Shatkin, Ph.D., co-author of "225 Best Jobs for Baby Boomers."

Working part-time is also a great solution for boomers who want to retire, but can't because they're financially unprepared to leave the workforce.

"For the first time since you were a teenager, part-time work may be financially feasible even though you will be paid for fewer hours and probably at a lower hourly rate," Shatkin says. "Social Security, a Medicare or a retirement medical plan may provide healthcare benefits that previously had been affordable only through a full-time job."

> Read the full story > Return to 50+ Headlines