20 Ways For Retirees To Work at Home & Earn Money

Many of you ask me about work-at-home jobs for retirees, and being retired should not stop you from applying for any job you are qualified to do.

Federal law prohibits age discrimination against applicants 40 and older at covered employers, so I’ve included several types of work below that you could consider depending on your skills and the schedule you want.

Age discrimination does still happen, and I know it can be discouraging, but you should not have to rule yourself out before an employer has even seen your application.

You may want a regular paycheck, or you may prefer part-time hours that leave room for travel, family, and other things you enjoy.

These are companies to check over time rather than individual job openings, and you should review each company’s location requirements, qualifications, and schedule before applying.

1. Customer Service and Phone Work

If you are comfortable talking to people and using a computer at the same time, customer service is one option to consider.

You could be helping with orders, answering account questions, or providing support for a company’s customers.

• Alorica hires for customer service positions, including work-at-home roles in the U.S. This is an employee option, although availability and scheduling depend on the position. You can read my Alorica review for more information.
• Working Solutions offers customer support work through independent contractor programs. You can select hours within a program’s available schedule, subject to its requirements. My Working Solutions review explains more about how it works.

With phone work, you should expect to need a quiet place to work and dependable internet access.

Also, a work-at-home job may still involve set shifts, and a flexible program may have minimum hours or required training.

2. Data Entry and Document Processing

Data entry could appeal to you if you prefer working with information rather than spending your day on the phone.

You may be entering invoice details, updating records, or checking documents for accuracy, so being careful matters just as much as being a fast typist.

• Conduent has offered remote data entry and processing jobs alongside its customer service positions. Search its careers page for data entry, transaction processing, and similar titles. You can also read my Conduent overview.
• Cass Information Systems processes business invoices and has hired offsite invoice payment specialists. Some positions require local training or other office visits, so check the location details before applying.
• Gainwell Technologies handles healthcare technology and administrative services. Its careers site is another place to check for remote data entry, claims processing, and document-related work, with requirements varying by role.

These jobs are competitive, and the companies above will not always have a remote opening in this category.

Try related search terms such as records processing and billing support, too, because the work may be advertised under a different title.

3. Virtual Assistant and Administrative Work

If you have handled schedules, emails, paperwork, or customer communication in a previous job, you may already have useful administrative experience.

Those skills can be used from home to support business owners and teams.

• Boldly hires experienced remote executive assistants as employees. This could be an option if you would like to continue doing administrative work with an employer. Read my Boldly review to learn more.
• BELAY recruits experienced virtual assistants as independent contractors. Depending on the assignment, tasks could include managing calendars, coordinating projects, and handling email.
• Time Etc works with experienced freelance assistants who support entrepreneurs and small businesses. It is geared toward part-time, flexible work using existing administrative skills.

When you apply, give examples of the things you have managed or organized, rather than assuming the employer will know what your previous job involved.

Even when the hours are flexible, your clients may need you to be available during the business day.

So, this may suit you better if you want an ongoing working relationship rather than tasks you can pick up whenever you feel like it.

4. AI Training and Online Evaluation

This is another category to consider, especially if you enjoy research, reading closely, or checking whether information makes sense.

Depending on the project, you could be evaluating search results, reviewing AI responses, or using knowledge from your previous career.

• TELUS Digital’s AI Community includes U.S. opportunities involving online data, search, and advertising evaluation. Check the country and project requirements carefully.
• CrowdGen by Appen connects contributors with AI projects, including work that uses professional expertise. You can review the projects available for your location and background.

Much of this is project-based contract work, and you may need to pass assessments before being considered.

Hours and assignments can change, so it is better approached as variable income than a promise of steady work every week.

5. Online Tutoring and Test Scoring

If you enjoy explaining things and helping someone understand a subject, you could consider online tutoring.

Your subject knowledge and the company’s requirements are what matter.

• BookNook offers independent contractor work tutoring children in kindergarten through eighth grade in reading and math, with curriculum provided. You choose available programs and commit to their scheduled sessions.
• Tutor.com recruits U.S. tutors across different subjects. You will need to meet its education and subject-testing requirements.
• Measurement Incorporated hires reader/evaluators with a bachelor’s degree to score student responses through remote seasonal work. This could appeal to you if you prefer reviewing written work to teaching live lessons.

Keep in mind that tutoring sessions have appointment times, and scoring projects may require specific shifts during a testing season.

Flexible Side Gigs for Retirees

If you only want occasional extra money, you may prefer something with fewer ongoing commitments.

The ideas below involve self-employment or occasional paid activities rather than a regular employee paycheck.

Pet Sitting and Dog Walking

If you enjoy being around animals, Rover lets you offer services such as dog walking, drop-in visits, pet sitting, and boarding.

You can decide which services to offer and when you are available, although any booking you accept comes with real responsibilities.

Think about the size and activity level of the pets you would be comfortable caring for, and whether you would rather visit someone else’s home or care for pets in yours.

Mystery Shopping

Mystery shopping involves following instructions, evaluating a business, and submitting a report about your experience.

ARC is an option for telephone mystery shopping, while BestMark offers assignments that may involve in-person visits as well as other types of evaluations.

Read my ARC review and BestMark review to learn more.

Selling Things Online

You could start small by selling items you already own through eBay, rather than buying inventory right away.

That gives you a chance to see whether you enjoy photographing items, writing descriptions, and handling shipping.

There are selling fees and other costs to account for, so what an item sells for will not be the same as your profit.

Paid Research Studies

User Interviews and Respondent connect people with paid research opportunities, including some that can be completed from home.

You may be asked about products you use, your work experience, or everyday habits.

You will need to qualify for each study, and applying does not guarantee that you will be selected.

These are occasional extra-cash opportunities, so you should not count on a predictable weekly amount.

Good luck!

Photo by cottonbro studio.