Side Hustles for Retirees: 9 Flexible Ways to Earn in 2026

Retirement gives you time. It doesn't always give you a bigger budget. Plenty of retirees want a little extra coming in each month, either for treats, grandchildren or simply to leave savings alone a bit longer.

This guide covers side hustles for retirees in the US and the UK that you can do around your own schedule, from paid surveys on the sofa to tutoring over video. We also cover the rules that matter: in the US, earning too much before your full retirement age can reduce your Social Security for a while, and the 2026 earnings limit is $24,480.

Want to start today? Join ZySurveys free.

Side hustles for retirees you can do from home

These need nothing more than a phone or a laptop and a quiet hour. None of them will replace a pension, but they fit around the rest of your day.

1. Paid surveys and offers on a rewards site

Market research companies pay for opinions, and they often want people over 60 because older adults are underrepresented in many panels. On ZySurveys you see what each survey pays and roughly how long it takes before you start, and everything you earn goes to a wallet in real US dollars. Your first cash-out is from $10, later ones from $5, with a usual fee of $0.25.

Expect small amounts: a short survey might pay well under a dollar, and you won't qualify for every one. Our guide on whether paid surveys are legit explains why screen-outs happen and how to spot a site worth your time.

Best for: anyone who wants something low-pressure to do with a cup of tea.

2. Online tutoring and mentoring

A career in teaching, accounting, nursing or engineering is valuable to students and early-career workers. Tutoring sites, local schools and community colleges all look for people who can explain things clearly. Rates vary widely by subject and platform, so check what's offered before you sign up.

Best for: former teachers and professionals who enjoy explaining things.

3. Freelance writing, editing or bookkeeping

Small businesses often need help with newsletters, proofreading or monthly books but can't afford a full-time hire. A few regular clients can give you steady, part-time work you control.

Best for: people with an office background and a good eye for detail.

Video call work and sharing what you know

4. Consulting in your old field

Former employers and their competitors sometimes hire retirees for short projects: training new staff, covering a busy season or reviewing processes. Let your old network know you're open to it.

Best for: people who left on good terms and miss the work, but not the commute.

5. Teaching a hobby online

Knitting, woodwork, gardening, bridge, a language you grew up with: hobby classes over video are popular and you set the price. Start with friends of friends and a simple booking page.

Best for: anyone with a skill people regularly ask them about.

Side hustles for retirees who like to get out

6. Gardening and odd jobs for neighbours

Mowing, pruning, putting up shelves or watering plants while people are away. Word of mouth does most of the marketing. Keep it to jobs that suit your health, and agree the price before you start.

Best for: handy people who like being outdoors.

7. Pet sitting and dog walking

Many working families need someone reliable during the day, and a retiree who's home is exactly that. It's gentle exercise, too.

Best for: animal lovers with a flexible week.

8. Part-time seasonal work

Garden centres, tax preparation offices, holiday retail and local events all hire extra hands for a few weeks a year. It's a way to earn a lump sum without a year-round commitment.

Best for: people who like a team and a clear start and end date.

9. Selling things you no longer need

Downsizing often turns up furniture, tools, books and collectables. Selling them online or at a local sale clears space and brings in cash. It's a one-off rather than a steady income, but it can be a big one.

Best for: anyone with a loft, garage or spare room full of things.

Earning rules retirees should know

A side hustle should help your finances, not make them more complicated. Check these before you earn more than pocket money.

In the US: the Social Security earnings limit

If you claim Social Security before your full retirement age, earnings can temporarily reduce your benefit. According to the Social Security Administrationif you're under full retirement age for all of 2026, $1 is withheld for every $2 you earn above $24,480. In the year you reach full retirement age, $1 is withheld for every $3 above $65,160, counting only months before your birthday month. Those figures are set each year in the SSA's exempt amounts table. Once you reach full retirement age, the limit no longer applies.

In the UK: no National Insurance past State Pension age

You can keep working past State Pension age, and GOV.UK confirms you don't pay National Insurance once you've reached it. Income tax can still apply, depending on your total income including your pension.

Tax on small earnings

Survey rewards and side income can be taxable in both countries. Our guide to taxes on survey money covers the US and UK rules in plain English. If you're in the UK, our UK side hustles guide also explains the £1,000 trading allowance.

How to start without stress

1. Pick one thing. Try a single side hustle for a month before adding another.
2. Set a weekly cap on hours. It's meant to fit around your life, not take it over.
3. Track what you earn. A notebook or a simple spreadsheet is enough, and it helps at tax time and with any benefit limits.
4. Use a separate email. It keeps survey invites and client messages out of your personal inbox.
5. Check how you'll be paid. On ZySurveys you can cash out to gift cards, a Recipient's Choice card, Wise, and in the US a bank transfer. Our guide on how long survey payouts take explains the timing.

Scams that target retirees

Fraudsters know retirees often have savings and time to answer the phone. Any "job" that asks you to pay upfront, buy gift cards, or move money for someone else is a scam. Legitimate survey sites are free to join and never ask for your bank password. Read our guide to gift card scams and the red flags to watch forand report anything suspicious to the FTC in the US or Action Fraud in the UK.

Conclusion

The best side hustles for retirees are the ones that suit your energy, your skills and your week. Start small, keep an eye on the earning rules in your country, and treat the money as a bonus rather than a plan. Paid surveys are an easy first step if you'd like something you can do from your armchair.

Ready to try it? Join ZySurveys free and see what surveys are available for you.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best side hustle for a retired person?

The best one uses what you already know and fits the hours you want. Tutoring and consulting pay the most for people with relevant experience, while paid surveys and pet sitting are easier to start with no preparation.

How much can I earn on Social Security without losing benefits in 2026?

If you're under full retirement age all year, the limit is $24,480; above it, $1 is withheld for every $2 earned. In the year you reach full retirement age the limit is $65,160, and from your full retirement age onwards there's no limit.

Do retirees in the UK pay National Insurance on side income?

No. Once you've reached State Pension age you don't pay National Insurance, even if you keep working. Income tax can still be due depending on your total income.

Are paid surveys worth it for retirees?

They're worth it as a relaxed way to earn small amounts, not as a main income. Choose a site that shows the reward before you start, pays in real money, and never charges a fee to join.