It’s going great. You’re retired, you’re free to relax all day, and you’re bored out of your mind. That doesn’t have to be the case. You can take on a second career and expand on some interests that may have lain dormant over the years or utilizing the skills previously learned to create a second avenue of work.

Interests

You may be wondering what exactly you can do with your days. You’ve read all the books you wanted to, seen all the friends, and still are left without a plan. Well, you can always turn one of your interests into a second career. Do you like to write, but never had the chance to pursue it prior? Now you can. Start writing some poetry, take a novel-writing class, or jot down that short story that’s been nagging you. Always loved to paint, but never thought you could make a go of it? Read a book on art design, attend an art class at the local college, or volunteer to help paint the mural at the shelter downtown.

Profit

The writing is going well, the painting is turning out multiple pieces, and you’re enjoying yourself. But now you can turn that personal interest into possible profit. Send out submissions to publishers or magazines, take the chance on your creativity. You could help lead a small community class on painting and pass on your knowledge to others. The skills you learned early in life could help you also. You were a great parent and you’d make a great helper at the local daycare. Giving back to the community will not only help its citizens, but help you as well.

Social Security Impact

If you work while getting Social Security, you could have benefits reduction if you are below full retirement age. If you are 65.5 years old, you receive full benefits no matter how much you earn in your second career. If you are below that age, anything above $12,000 earned is subject to a $1 deduction per $2 earned. Becoming self-employed means that your net earnings are counted towards Social Security, while working for someone else allows only your wages to count.