Going back to work at 64

[bumpintheroad]

I retired 3 years ago at 61 on a small private pension with full support of Dh. I’m now in a position due to divorce (not my choice) to have to go back to work part time until state pension age at 67. I have an admin/finance background and just wonder if anyone would employ someone my age or what else I could do to earn a bit of money. I’m lucky enough to have good health but not a lot of physical stamina and think I’d struggle on my feet all day. I had a very stressful job before and just want something simple. Happy with minimum wage and would only need to earn about £150 a week to manage. Any advice?

I would look at agencies. Some short term jobs to get you back into it and show off your flexibility.

Maybe something like being a PA for an older person maybe through a charity like Age Uk.

That's likely to be quite physically demanding.

Call centre work?

Supermarket checkout. But avoid shelf-stacking or the customer service desk.

It's not necessarily physically demanding. It's can mean just sorting finances/ paperwork for people who are unable to do it themselves.

I was chatting to a supermarket checkout lady just before Christmas and she was in exactly the same position as you. Maybe that's an option?

Try temporary staff Bank at a Uni, or the council or admin staff Bank in the NHS if you have those nearby.

Any charities near you? They can be more flexible than other employers for admin jobs as the pay tends to be low.

I wouldn't do shop work. It's physically tiring. And shops are cold now!

Nhs don’t have bank anymore for admin ..,they got rid this year

We have a lot of semi retired people working at our hospital as porters and cleaners either as bank staff or pt. The only issue would be that it can be physical depending on the department you are working in.

What about care work? Definitely in demand and doesn't havd to be physically demanding. Carers for an elderly relative do light housework, cooking a meal and just being around for a few hours.

Very sorry to hear of your change in circumstances.

What about one overnight caring shift? They tend to be well paid for a longer shift, you would probably only need to sleep over for one night, or three nights per fortnight, to earn that money.

Or a celebrant particularly for weddings in the summer.

Or invigilating. Exams happen all year in a lot of schools or colleges.

Have you checked to see if you are entitled to any benefits? Have you paid enough NI contributions for a full State Pension?

Definitely try agencies, and take fixed term contracts if you can get them - they’re an excellent foot in the door. A relative in her 60s has got a permanent contract after a year’s fixed term.

If you know some bookkeeping/accounting, if I were you I would look for a hybrid role doing some sort of finance administrator type job. That way at least you’d be at home at your computer part of the week, so not having to be out and about all the time.

What about working for estate agencies / letting agents, where you let people in for viewings ? Could be interesting and they’d prob value a bit of admin experience

Charities and public sector less likely to be ageist I would hope. There’s a lot of cutting back but act confident and I’d try to use your experience as it’s likely to be more rewarding, financially and intellectually perhaps

A civil service entry level O grade job would be perfect for you. In my experience, they don’t tend to age discriminate and your age isn’t seen in the sifting of applications. You may also be able to work from home part of the time.

Supermarket , ta in a school

A bookkeeping job could be right for you. Many of them are work from home roles, which may be an added bonus.

Estate agency job showing people around properties go buy or rent? That’s usually someone old. You must be able to drive obviously.

I started my last job (finance) at the age of 64 and worked there happily until I was nearly 70. Luckily I have never encountered ageism at work. Join an agency OP, they will do their utmost to find you a suitable job.

That’s usually someone old Very rude @PInkyStarfish

Ah that's a shame, thanks for the correction!

Stating a fact is not rude.

Over 50s job site
https://restless.co.uk

over 50s employment support charity
https://wiseage.org.uk/

age uk offers employment support services
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/work-learning/looking-for-work/

JobsRedefined list of employers who pay (and it could therefore be argued put their money where their mouth is) to be evaluated for being age inclusive. To be on this list, organisations have paid to have their recruitment processes evaluated for bias and they’ve undergone some

1. WorkingWise is another recruitment firm with an age-friendly jobs board and charter. They are the founding organisation for National Older Workers Week, which has run for a number of years now. Their sponsors clearly want to appeal to older workers. What we like about WorkingWise is that the jobs board is manageable. Jobs are not ‘scraped’ from other sites (in other words, if you see a job on WorkingWise, it is because an organisation has met with them to specifically discuss a role which they feel would suit someone aged over 45).

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/help-and-support-for-older-workers/help-and-support-for-older-workers

looking at virtual PA agencies - doing admin work for individuals and families might be good - I'd look for local ones

Hopefully you can use your admin skills and avoid the checkout x

64 is not ancient! Sort your cv out, get on linked in, contact people you know to say you are looking for part time or flexi time, pa or admin work, look at local firms same sector. Job search thing on LinkedIn is good.

Look for hybrid or remote, and don't sell yourself short!! No bloke would, going back to work.