Working: For Love or Money (or both)

Some of us have to work into our 70s and 80s, some of us want to, as part of our late-life purpose plan. As a society, we need all hands on deck: the vital knowledge and expertise of people in their 50s and beyond is an invaluable asset for our times.
 
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As a boon for America’s economy and social fabric, volunteer work is a wildly undervalued. But for individual volunteers, it’s often immensely rewarding. Here are several ways to find your way to meaningful volunteer work. 

• Encore, founded by author Marc Freedman, with the tagline, “Second acts for the greater good.”
• Experience Corps, a program of the AARP Foundation. 
• Senior Corps, part of  Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS).
• Volunteer Match, which easily connects users to a wide range of volunteer activities by topic area and zip code.
• Operation Warm helpfully lists 25 opportunities to improve the world from home for people with limited mobility.
• And of course lots of activist groups need your help. 

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Age discrimination: Realities

• It’s no secret that employers regularly discriminate on the basis of age. For honest talk about the effects of ageism on hiring practices, see Ashton Applewhite's discussion in Chapter 6 of This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto against Ageism, as well as this Op-Ed she published in the New York Times, and Jo Ann Jenkins's discussion in Chapter 7 of her terrific book, Disrupt Aging.

 
Age discrimination: Fighting it

• AARP is a great ally for 50+ people who have to fight age discrimination in order to work. AARP is doing essential work on the "Longevity Economy," compiling data about the economic value added by workers over 50, both in terms of production and consumption. They will be distributing these data far and wide, providing a great grounding for individuals who need and want to continue to work. Find a great interactive report here.
• During job interviews, this current information about the benefits of an intergenerational workforce, with an interesting chart laying out broad differences between the four generations currently at work, can be helpful.
• So are the points made by Age Wave guru Dr. Kenneth Dychtwald in this nearly 15-year-old Harvard Business Review article, "It's Time to Retire Retirement," even more urgent today than when it was published. Dychtwald’s article speaks directly to employers with the admonition: “You need more experienced workers, and you’re driving them away. If you want to attract and retain them, do this.” An interesting read that arms you for interviews.
• Startup Decoder is a great resource for mid- to late-career people in tech, loaded with advice and contacts. Don't miss it! This article, "Five Articles about Employment Over 50 That Won't Depress You" is from their newsletter. Great information & links!

Inspiration

• Second Act Stories, created by podcaster Andy Levine, is a super sweet set of interviews with people 50+ who have recreated themselves.
• Pro Boomer is an incredible site packed with information and inspiration for Boomers who aren't nearly done yet. Find information about fighting ageism, creating a personal brand, launching a new project, finding a job, and more. Founded by uber-connected video creator and filmmaker Paul Long.
• The Growing Bolder Media Group, brainchild of Marc Middleton and friends, is another source of great inspiration and energy. I love the podcast!

Job Search Resources

• The Encore Career Handbook: How to Make a Difference and a Living in the Second Half of Life, by Encore VP Marci Alboher, is a superb aid for determining what you want to do next and how to pursue your meaning.
• Life Reimagined, a project of AARP, helps 50+ adults think about and plan for new employment roles.
• AARP jobs board, Retirementjobs.com and Retiredbrains.com are job search sites built specifically for 50+ job seekers.

Some other specific possibilities:

• Task Rabbit and Hello Alfred are a la carte service providers—from errand-running, pet-sitting, handyman work, housecleaning and more—that can be a godsend for people of all ages who need help managing day-to-day lives. They’re also a source of jobs for 50+ seekers who want the autonomy the “gig” economy can provide.
• Similarly, you can either use or work for services like Home Instead Senior Care, Carelinx, Full Circle America, Rest Assured, and Mature Caregivers, which matches people 50+ to care for seniors at home
• Airbnb is another way to make extra cash, by hosting out-of-town guests in your home. Of course there are precautions to take to protect yourself and your belongings (discussed on the Airbnb website), but the vast majority of people report favorable, even joyful experiences, and can make extra money with little effort.
• ​More resources for helping you figure out what you want to do after your full-time work is over can be found in the "'Retirement' Services" section of this website.

Good luck finding your productive niche! I hope you'll let me know what's worked best for you.