4 Extra-Income Ideas for Boomers Worried About Retirement
Even for baby boomers, who statistically hold the biggest bank accounts, retiring doesn't always mean stepping away from work entirely. In 2026, many of those thinking about retirement may be looking for ways to boost their income and savings. Enter the side hustle.
However, not all side gigs are created equal, especially for boomers approaching or already in retirement, as there is a bit more sense of urgency. Many senior workers are seeking flexible, low-stress side gigs that leverage their experience, skills and professional knowledge without long hours or physical strain.
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Whether you're supplementing a full-time job, easing into living off your nest egg or simply looking for meaningful extra income, the right opportunity can make a big difference. Here are four lucrative side gigs for boomers in 2026 to bring in some solid passive income.
1. Expert on JustAnswer
If your Social Security benefits aren't looking like they stack up against your bills, you can earn anywhere from $2,000 to $7,000 monthly as an expert on JustAnswer, or up to $84,000 a year. Before boomers retire completely, this might be a good side gig to transition into.
No matter your field of expertise -- from appliance repair to finance to wellness -- you can apply for this side gig and leverage your years of experience to make extra cash. Once you're approved on the platform, all you have to do is answer people's questions from your computer or smartphone at your convenience.
2. Teacher on Outschool
With more and more people homeschooling their children or looking for outside help with certain curricula, quality online classes are in demand. The best part about this side gig is you don't have to have formal teaching credentials to create and offer a class on Outschool.
Instead, you can offer learning to students based on your expertise and charge the fee you feel is fair. Outschool takes a 30% service fee from all paid enrollments, but it doesn't cost anything for you to sign up and begin teaching. It's estimated that at Outschool, you can earn anywhere from a few hundred dollars a month to over $10,000 per month if you become a top performer, with average hourly rates often ranging from $25 to over $90.
3. Notary Signing Agent
As a notary signing agent, you can assist with loan closings for the mortgage finance industry. You'll meet with clients at their homes or other locations to sign the required paperwork -- and you can earn between $75 and $200 per appointment.
The first step is to become a notary public in your state of residence. However, make sure your state allows notary signing agents to facilitate mortgage loan closings first, as some do not.
Next, you'll need to take a signing agent course, as well as pass an exam and background screening. Visit the National Notary Association online to find out exactly what it takes to become a notary signing agent in your state.
4. Airbnb Experience Creator and Host
If you'd rather share your skills, hobbies or expertise in person instead of online, consider creating and hosting an Airbnb experience in your city or online. Examples of in-person Airbnb experiences are a Boutique & Private Drunk History Tour in San Antonio, Texas, and a Snorkeling with Sea Lions adventure in California's Newport Beach.
Note that you do not have to host guests overnight in your home or elsewhere to host an Airbnb experience; they are two separate side gigs. Visit Airbnb to find out the standards and requirements for Experiences. Earnings can vary, and Airbnb charges a 20% service fee for each experience you book.
According to Airbnb's website, you can earn anywhere from a few hundred dollars to over $300,000 annually. That's a pretty big range, but it is also based on workload, property management and location. That being said, top performers in high-demand areas are seeing a large cash influx, with earnings for top online hosts tipping the scales of $350,000.
Nicole Spector contributed to the reporting for this article.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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