5 Reasons Proofreading Is a Great Job for Seniors
Are you recently retired – or nearing retirement – and looking for a flexible, enjoyable way to earn extra income? Proofreading is a popular option for seniors and retirees who want to keep their minds active, supplement their pensions, and enjoy the freedom of setting their own schedules. In this post, we explore five reasons why proofreading is a great job choice for older adults:
- It’s a great way to supplement a pension to cover unexpected costs or luxury purchases.
- It allows you to work whenever you want, wherever you want.
- It helps keep your mind active and engaged.
- The startup costs are minimal.
- It offers a sense of pride and accomplishment.
1. Supplement Your Pension
If you’ve retired, you might not be looking to re-enter the workforce on a full-time basis – after all, you’ve earned the right to relax. However, many retirees still appreciate the option to earn a little extra to support their lifestyle.
That’s where freelance proofreading comes in. Whether you want a bit of extra cash for household bills, for luxuries such as travel or gifts for your grandchildren, or even for savings toward a bigger purchase, proofreading offers a flexible way to supplement a pension. You’ll have the freedom to take on more projects when you want to really boost your income, then scale back when life gets busy or you just want to focus on enjoying your retirement. And because proofreading can pay well, it’s also a good option for anyone worried about unexpected costs in retirement.
Several of our learners have taken up proofreading to supplement their retirement income. For instance, Kath has scaled down her part-time bookkeeping work and is earning some extra money by proofreading.
2. Work Whenever and Wherever You Want
One of the greatest perks of freelance proofreading is the ability to work on your own schedule. Retirement is all about freedom – spending time with friends and family, traveling, and taking up new hobbies or revisiting old ones. Freelancing means you can:
- Choose how much or little you work
- Schedule your work around other activities, medical appointments, or social engagements
- Be flexible when something comes up at short notice, such as when the grandchildren suddenly need an emergency babysitter!
It’s not just about when you work, though; it’s also where you work. As a freelance proofreader, you can work anywhere as long as you have a computer and an internet connection. This means you can take your projects on the road while you visit friends or just enjoy a frequent change of scenery. You might escape the winter months for somewhere warmer – just like Wendy, who proofreads at sea! Or you could even embrace the digital nomad lifestyle, earning money while exploring new places at your own pace.
3. Keep Your Mind Active
While retirement is a good time to relax after a long and productive career, it’s important to keep your mind active and your skills sharp. Many seniors and retirees worry about how to stay mentally active once they stop working full-time. Proofreading is an excellent way to keep your brain busy, as you’ll be:
- Reading a wide range of texts on a variety of topics
- Brushing up on grammar, punctuation, spelling, and writing styles
- Paying close attention to detail while spotting errors in documents
- Developing or improving your skills with word processing software such as Microsoft Word
It’s also a type of work that isn’t physically demanding, which is perfect if you have mobility issues or prefer to take things easy. And when you deliver a carefully proofread, error-free document to a client, you’ll feel a real sense of pride and accomplishment – something that many retirees miss from their years in the workforce.
Steven was ready to retire, but he didn’t want to stop working completely. As a teacher and lover of the English language, proofreading was an ideal option for him.
4. Get Started at Minimal Cost
Compared to many other jobs and side hustles, starting out as a freelance proofreader doesn’t require a large initial investment. You won’t need to spend on lots of expensive equipment. In fact, you likely already have the main essentials:
- A reliable internet connection
- A laptop or desktop computer
- Up-to-date word processing software (e.g., Microsoft Word)
While a few hard-copy resources (such as dictionaries and referencing guides) can be helpful, you can do most research online.
Training to be a proofreader also takes relatively little time, so it’s a great choice for seniors looking for a simple route back into work. For example, our Becoming A Proofreader course takes approximately 50 hours to complete. It also costs much less than a full degree course, making it suitable for those on a pension or who might have a limited budget.
5. Enjoy A Sense of Pride in Your Work
Learning a new skill later in life is not just about income and flexibility – it can also boost your confidence and sense of well-being. Proofreading tasks can be both challenging and satisfying, giving you the chance to:
- Push yourself to keep growing and learning
- Stay sharp by engaging with fresh material
- Gain the satisfaction of seeing your corrections improve a piece of writing
All of this can help you maintain a sense of purpose in your retirement. If you need more inspiration, take a look at Ava’s story. She wanted to find a new source of income that would provide some intellectual stimulation, and proofreading was the perfect fit.
Becoming A Proofreader
Proofreading is one of the best jobs for seniors because it offers flexibility, earning potential, and engaging, mentally stimulating work. If you’re excited by the idea of setting your own hours, working wherever you want, and continuing to develop your skills, check out our Becoming A Proofreader course. You can even try some free lessons to help you decide if it’s right for you!
Updated on March 25, 2025
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