Whether it's because your employer has decided to offer this option or if it's a goal you've been pursing, taking early retirement can be fun, frightening, or both. When taking early retirement, a person has to worry about managing money and time, and even the most careful planning is subject to the effects of inflation, bad investment markets, and time. One option is to retire from your main career, but find a way to earn money throughout your early retirement can help ease the burden that you'll be putting on your pension and other savings. There are several options that can allow you both the extra free time that you crave from taking early retirement, and the benefit of added income to ensure you stay retired.
Work Part Time
One way to keep income going while retired is to take a part time job. While it seems odd to think about taking another job once you're retired, working 20 hours or less is much different than working full time or even working overtime in a busy position with high stress. Working part time while you're already retired removes a lot of the stress from the job, since you can always quit and find something else if you don't like the job you've picked. Since many retirement packages include things such as health benefits, you don't have to worry about meeting hour requirements to obtain coverage from your part time job. Working part time in retail will also give you employee discounts, which can also help you to save money in the long run.
Try Temp Work
Working as a temp is somewhat similar to taking a part time job, though instead of working part time every week, you'd work full time every once in a while. With the experience that comes from years in the working world, temp agencies will be happy to work with someone who's taking early retirement. Taking occasional temporary work can add to your income as well as help alleviate boredom from too much free time with nothing to do. Even if you spend more time not working than working, doing temp jobs where you've got something different to do each time can be a lot of fun.
Work for Yourself
If you're still more interested in self-fulfillment than in working after taking earl retirement, consider developing one of your hobbies into a home business. Common wisdom for starting your own business often includes basing it off what you enjoy doing most. Whether your hobby is looking for antiques or writing, you can sell your products or services at your own pace. By running your own business, you can work at your own pace and make some money off doing the things you enjoy. But whether you're writing the next great novel or working for someone else, taking occasional work while taking early retirement can ease some of the burden on limited financial resources and break up the monotony of the non-working life.
