Some interesting encore gigs for retirees

By Jane Bennett Clark
Posted on May 06, 2016

Maybe you’ve always fantasized about racing down the sidelines as a soccer ref, or expounding to tourists on the charms of your city. Once you retire from your career job, you’ll have time to make that fantasy happen, but you’ll have to get up to speed on the skills involved.

Here’s a rundown of the basic requirements for six dream retirement gigs.

English-language teacher overseas

You don’t need teaching experience for this gig, but you do need certification in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) or TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language), a comparable credential more common in the United Kingdom.

The American TESOL Institute offers an online-only program ($295) and one that combines online study with in-class training ($995 to $1,620).

Salaries depend on the country and
cost of living. For more information, see www.tefl-tesol.net.

You may be able to teach English as a Second Language in U.S. public schools with TESOL certification, but many states set additional requirements. Check with your state’s education department.

City tour guide

Prerequisites for this job range from nothing at all, to passing a test administered by your local jurisdiction, to getting a license (or both), depending on where you plan to operate.

As with any business start-up, you’ll need to decide on your business model, get insurance, and file the appropriate paperwork with local and state agencies.

For training, business tips and networking opportunities, join the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO). You can add to your clean cred by becoming certified by NAPO. Certification — which requires completing 1,500 hours of paid client work and passing a proctored exam — costs $450, with a $100 annual maintenance fee.

Hourly fees for professional organizers run from $25 to $100, with the most common fees in the $50 to $75 range.