How To Have Fun During Retirement (Keep Working!)

By Jeff Bucher

What do school kids and retirees have in common during these dog days of summer? For many, it’s having lots of time and not knowing what to do with it.

But that comparison begins to breakdown almost immediately, because in a few short weeks, kids go back to school, but retirees have an indefinite amount of time to contend with.

Worse still for retirees, many don’t know if they can afford the time they have left, which may not be yielding a satisfying lifestyle. After all the technical details I review with clients and their finances, such as protecting and growing their money, I sometimes offer a bit of unexpected advice: Consider your employment options.

Many people who take my advice often do so more for overall happiness than money. Work gives us structure, purpose, and a social network. Here are some fun options that retirees often find appealing.

• Golf course: This is a popular option since so many retirees love golf. And, if you are a morning person, work at a golf course is perfectly suited for you. Some popular jobs available at a golf course for retirees include golf shop staff, ranger, starters and golf course maintenance.
• Retail: A smiling face and a pleasant disposition has earned many retirees positions as greeters at places like Wal-Mart, but there are other stores that may better fit your personality. That may include cosmetics at Macy’s or the shoe department at Dick’s Sporting Goods. Think about where you like to shop.
• Sporting venue: If you love sports, consider being an usher at a venue. Ushers assist fans to their seats and help answer any questions the fans may have.  You might have to walk up and down steps, so if that’s difficult for you to do find out beforehand whether the job involves steps. The job may have perks, such as free tickets.
• Tour guide: A tour guide’s job is to introduce people to places that they are unfamiliar with, which may include wineries, museums and a city’s historical locations.
• Theme park / zoo: If you want to brag about your job to your grandkids, look into the local zoo or theme park. Some of the most popular jobs for retirees at these parks include ticket takers, working at a merchandise stand or helping assist guests at an information booth.
• Your current or former job. This one may throw you for a loop, but it could be perfect. You’ll likely maintain the same salary as the rest of your earning years; it’s something you already know and are good at and many people derived much satisfaction from their profession. You may find new freedom in knowing that this job is more optional than before, which may engender a sense of freedom and, perhaps, an outside-the-box mentality.

Jeff Bucher is president of Citizen Advisory Group (www.citizenadvisory.com), and is an Investment Advisor Representative of AlphaStar Capital Management, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. He has a life and health insurance license with the state of Ohio. His membership affiliations include the exclusive Ed Slott’s Master Elite IRA Advisor Group™, National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA), the National Association of Fixed Annuities (NAFA) and the Forum 400. He has earned Top of the Table honors through the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT). Bucher is a former standout wrestler at The Ohio State University, where he earned an athletic scholarship and honed his leadership skills en route to earning four varsity letters.