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Getting laid off can be a harsh blow at any age. But at 61, it can be an extremely difficult thing. <\/p>\n
Even if you’re well qualified to do what you do, employers may be hesitant to hire someone who’s perceived to be on the cusp of retirement. While age discrimination isn’t legal, it’s a pretty common thing for employers to pass over job candidates due to their older age. <\/p>\n
Must Read <\/p>\n
Unfortunately, it sounds like you were forced to retire before you wanted. You wouldn’t be alone in that boat. A 2024 Transamerica survey of retirees found that 58% ended their careers sooner than they had planned (1). Among them, 43% cited employment-related issues. The median age of retirement was 62, three years younger than the traditional retirement age of 65. <\/p>\n
Retiring at 61 could be particularly challenging because you’re still a year away from being eligible to claim Social Security (at a reduced rate, no less), and you’re also four years away from being able to get health coverage through Medicare. <\/p>\n
So, rather than resign yourself to a forced early retirement, you may want to explore your options for being able to continue to work. <\/p>\n
Don’t give up on being able to work just yet <\/p>\n
Thanks to the booming gig economy, you may be able to go out and find work on your own terms. You could try consulting in your former field, starting a new business, or even embracing different side hustles to cobble together an income for a period of time. <\/p>\n
A survey from Self Financial says that 33% of Americans ages 65 and over are looking into setting up side hustles (2). And people ages 65 and over earn an average of $581.32 per month this way. You, however, may be able to earn more if you’re passionate about what you’re doing and can dedicate more hours to it. <\/p>\n
Another way to earn more income is through the lucrative real estate market. Rental income can potentially provide a steady cash flow that adjusts to inflationary pressures, offering a hedge against the declining value of fiat currency. <\/p>\n
mogul<\/a> is a real estate investment platform offering fractional ownership in blue-chip rental properties<\/a>, which gives investors monthly rental income, real-time appreciation and tax benefits \u2014 without the need for a hefty down payment or 3 a.m. tenant calls. <\/p>\n Founded by former Goldman Sachs real estate investors<\/a>, the team hand-picks the top 1% of single-family rental homes nationwide<\/a> for you. Simply put, you can invest in institutional quality offerings for a fraction of the usual cost. <\/p>\n Each property undergoes a vetting process, requiring a minimum 12% return even in downside scenarios. Across the board, the platform features an average annual IRR of 18.8%. Their cash-on-cash yields, meanwhile, average between 10 to 12% annually. Offerings often sell out in under three hours<\/a>, with investments typically ranging between $15,000 and $40,000 per property. <\/p>\n Every investment is secured by real assets<\/a>, not dependent on the platform’s viability. Each property is held in a standalone Propco LLC, so investors own the property \u2014 not the platform. Blockchain-based fractionalization adds a layer of safety, ensuring a permanent, verifiable record of each stake. <\/p>\n Getting started is a quick and easy process. You can sign up for an account and then browse available properties<\/a>. Once you verify your information with their team, you can invest like a mogul in just a few clicks. <\/p>\n Read More: Millionaires under 43 hold only 25% of their wealth in stocks. Here’s where their money is actually going<\/a> <\/p>\n Protecting your finances after a late-in-life layoff <\/p>\n Losing a job before retirement could be detrimental to your finances. Even though you’re old enough to tap an IRA or 401(k) plan without a penalty, you may not want to start dipping into your savings at such a young age. <\/p>\n If you’re worried about the potential for layoffs during a period of stock market uncertainty, you might consider securing your IRAs by investing in commodities instead of the market. <\/p>\n One way to invest in gold that also provides significant tax advantages is to open a gold IRA with the help of Priority Gold<\/a>. <\/p>\n Gold IRAs allow investors to hold physical gold or gold-related assets within a retirement account, which combines the tax advantages of an IRA with the protective benefits of investing in gold<\/a>, making it an attractive option for those looking to potentially hedge their retirement funds against economic uncertainty. <\/p>\n To learn more, you can get a free information guide that includes details on how to get up to $10,000 in free silver<\/a> on qualifying purchases. <\/p>\n Also, while you may be able to piece together enough of a part-time income to keep your savings untouched until you’re 62 and eligible for Social Security, claiming benefits at that age means reducing them by 30% compared to waiting until your full retirement age of 67. So that may not be ideal, either. <\/p>\n One thing you should do after getting laid off is put in a claim for unemployment benefits right away. You’re typically eligible if you were let go through no fault of your own. <\/p>\n You may also be eligible for severance pay from your employer. And if that severance is based on tenure and you were at your company for a long time, you may be entitled to a decent-sized payout. <\/p>\n That could buy you some time to figure out your next move without having to dip into your savings. Additionally, you should see if you have accrued vacation or sick time you’re eligible to get paid out on. <\/p>\n Another smart thing to do following a layoff is to see what expenses you can reduce \u2014 either temporarily or permanently. If you’ve been toying with downsizing, it could be a great time to do so if it saves you money on housing. And if you have a reason to hang onto a larger home, you may want to look at renting out a room for some income. <\/p>\n Also make sure to put health insurance in place following a layoff. COBRA might prove expensive, but you can explore options on the health insurance marketplace. <\/p>\n It’s also a good idea to talk to a financial advisor when you experience a major change in income like the loss of a job \u2014 especially if it happens at an age where you may be forced into an early retirement. <\/p>\n A financial advisor can help you assess your options and figure out the most efficient way to cover your expenses in the absence of a paycheck. <\/p>\n They may, for example, suggest switching to assets like bonds in your portfolio so you can generate income and reduce your risk at a time when you might need the flexibility to tap your investments. <\/p>\n But hiring an advisor can be a lifelong commitment, which might make or break your retirement. That’s why finding reliable advisors is crucial. <\/p>\n That’s where Advisor.com<\/a> can come in. The platform connects you with an expert near you for free. <\/p>\n Advisor.com<\/a> does the heavy lifting for you, vetting advisors based on track record, client ratios and regulatory background. Plus, their network comprises fiduciaries, who are legally required to act in your best interests. <\/p>\n Just enter a few details about your finances and goals, and Advisor.com<\/a>‘s AI-powered matching tool will connect you with a qualified expert<\/a> best suited for your needs based on your unique financial goals and preferences. <\/p>\n Finding the right advisor isn’t always easy \u2014 there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. That’s why Advisor.com<\/a> lets you set up a free initial consultation<\/a>, with no obligation to hire, to see if they’re the right fit for you. <\/p>\n Once you’ve got the right financial advisor in your corner, the next step is getting a clear picture of where your money’s actually going. That starts with the basics \u2014 budgeting and tracking your spending. <\/p>\n You May Also Like <\/p>\n Join 250,000+ readers and get Moneywise’s best stories and exclusive interviews first \u2014 clear insights curated and delivered weekly. Subscribe now<\/a>. <\/p>\n Article Sources <\/p>\n We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our ethics and guidelines<\/a>. <\/p>\n Transamerica Institute (1<\/a>); Self Financial Inc. (2<\/a>) <\/p>\n This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below. 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