For Linda Knott, age 66, of Flagstaff, Ariz., volunteering was her foot in the door to the community she now calls home. “I moved here, and I didn’t know a soul,” says Knott. Now, she volunteers her time with Senior Corps, a national volunteering organization for people age 55 and older. As a “senior companion,” she assists elderly and homebound women with daily tasks, and she has made a tremendous difference in people’s lives, says Erin Kruse, Flagstaff’s Senior Corps project director. In Flagstaff, Knott is one of many volunteers who participate in the wide variety of Senior Corps programs.
Many older adults across the U.S. have sought volunteering opportunities as a way to feel healthier in retirement, according to a recent UnitedHealthcare survey. Older Americans view retirement as a new beginning with new goals, says Ben Kehl, vice president of member experience for UnitedHealthcare Medicare and Retirement. “Far from slowing down, respondents said they view retirement as a time to dive into their passions and hobbies, volunteer in their communities and perhaps even start a new type of employment,” he says.
While Senior Corps is a network of national service programs, older adults serve in their local communities. Not only do Senior Corps volunteers receive training for their program, training often connects volunteers with a community of other older adults, providing a social support for many volunteers.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Volunteers find a sense of belonging, says Deisha Finley, Senior Corps’ manager in Knoxville, Tenn. “It gives you a sense of purpose,” says Linda Walker, age 63, who volunteers in the Corps’ retired senior volunteer program in Knoxville. And volunteers say their experiences have been very rewarding. “I get a lot more than I give,” says Bernice McLemore, age 72, a foster grandparent volunteer in Knoxville.
Many volunteers have experienced loss and are drawn to helping others as a way of coping, says Kruse. Working with children as a foster grandparent in Knoxville is particularly valuable for Haroldene Hobbs, age 66, whose son recently died by suicide. “It’s been so rewarding to know that I can be of help to the children,” says Hobbs.
Senior volunteers reported significant increases in their emotional wellbeing from volunteering, according to a recent survey conducted by Senior Corps. After two years of service in the program, 84% reported improved health and 78% reported feeling less depressed.
Various Ways to Volunteer in Retirement
About 200,000 volunteers participate every year in Senior Corps’ range of programs, from helping with disaster relief to renovating homes. Volunteering lets you put your lifetime skills to use in a new way, says Samantha Warfield, spokesperson for Senior Corps. If you were an accountant, you could be a volunteer tax preparer in the springtime, for instance. “On the flipside, if you’re eager to work in a new field, it can be a great way to try something new,” she says.
The volunteers who serve as “foster grandparents” assist teachers in classrooms anywhere from 10 to 30 hours a week to help at-risk students. “The teachers are very grateful for the foster grandparents in their classroom because the volunteers can provide additional one-on-one support that many students need,” says Kruse.
The Department of Veterans Affairs recently began engaging Senior Corps volunteers to support the VA’s Choose Home Initiative, enabling older veterans to receive needed homemaker and daily living support so they can remain in their own homes.
Ultimately, if you have a passion, Senior Corps can find you a purpose, Warfield says. You can learn more about how to volunteer and volunteering opportunities at NationalService.Gov/SeniorCorps.
-
The $33,000 Retirement: One Man's Surprising Path to Financial Freedom at 61Forget what society tells you, even with less than $1 million, you can be happy in retirement.
-
The Best Aerospace and Defense ETFs to BuyThe best aerospace and defense ETFs can help investors capitalize on higher government defense spending or hedge against the potential of a large-scale conflict.
-
Amazon Resale: Where Amazon Prime Returns Become Your Online BargainsFeature Amazon Resale products may have some imperfections, but that often leads to wildly discounted prices.
-
457 Plan Contribution Limits for 2025Retirement plans There are higher 457 plan contribution limits for state and local government workers in 2025. That's good news for state and local government employees.
-
Medicare Basics: 12 Things You Need to KnowMedicare There's Medicare Part A, Part B, Part D, Medigap plans, Medicare Advantage plans and so on. We sort out the confusion about signing up for Medicare — and much more.
-
The Seven Worst Assets to Leave Your Kids or Grandkidsinheritance Leaving these assets to your loved ones may be more trouble than it’s worth. Here's how to avoid adding to their grief after you're gone.
-
SEP IRA Contribution Limits for 2025SEP IRA A good option for small business owners, SEP IRAs allow individual annual contributions of as much as $70,000 in 2025, up from $69,000 in 2024.
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2025Roth IRAs Roth IRA contribution limits have gone up. Here's what you need to know.
-
SIMPLE IRA Contribution Limits for 2025simple IRA The SIMPLE IRA contribution limit increased by $500 for 2025. Workers at small businesses can contribute up to $16,500 or $20,000 if 50 or over and $21,750 if 60-63.
-
457 Contribution Limits for 2024
retirement plans State and local government workers can contribute more to their 457 plans in 2024 than in 2023.
