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Retirees don’t have to work hard for money. There are many flexible options for supplementing your Social Security income with little or no physical requirements.
You may find a side gig that feels like a hobby or puts your decades of experience to work – but only for part of the week. Keep reading to find out six side hustles boomers are using to puff up their wallets.
pet groomer
- average salary: $45 to $75 per night, depending Nomad
If you’re an animal lover, get paid to care for other people’s pets. Pet care sites like Rover allow you to connect with pet parents who need help. Set your own rates, terms – that is, whether you care for pets in their home or in your own home – and what types of pets you want to see.
bookkeeper
Ideal for a former accountant preparing bookkeeping for companies that don’t require full-time assistance. Adjust your client load according to the number of hours you want to work per month.
tutor
- average salary: According to $19.27 per hour bls
Sites like Tutor.com let you teach students virtually, so you can work from home. If you were a teacher, this would be an obvious choice. However, many retirees turn other decades-long career knowledge into a specialized learning area.
give music lessons
- average salary: $40 per hour, according to In fact
Skilled musicians can turn their hobby into a money-making gig. Give piano, guitar, violin or even voice lessons to local students. Advertise your services by reaching out to local music stores, community message boards or even school music teachers.
Rent Extra Parking Space
- average salary: $100 to $500 per month, depending on Spacer
If you have a parking space you don’t use, rent it out on sites like Spacer or Neighbor. The easiest passive income, you’ll be collecting monthly checks without lifting a finger.
mock juror
- average salary: $30 to $60 for online case review and $75 to $100 for virtual mock trial, according to online decision
Review and respond to legal cases in your local area with online verdicts. Enjoy working from home and have the flexibility to choose which cases you review. You can also participate in a virtual mock-trial on Zoom at a specific time and date.
How extra earnings affect Social Security benefits
It’s important to know the rules when working while receiving Social Security benefits.
You will be considered retired if you are under full retirement age throughout 2026, in any month your earnings are less than $2,040 and you have not engaged in substantial self-employed work, according to social Security Administration (SSA). On the other hand, if you reach full retirement age in 2026, you are classified as retired in any month your earnings are less than $5,430 and you have not completed sufficient self-employment work.
Until you reach full retirement age, your benefits will be reduced if your salary exceeds the annual income limit. After reaching your full retirement age, there is no limit on the amount you can earn and still receive your full benefit. Education for all campaign.