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Can a 75-Year-Old Find Work?

By the Gray Hair Jobs Editorial Team · Published · Facts checked against sources on · 2 min read

The short answer

Yes, a 75-year-old can find work. Part-time, seasonal, flexible, and remote roles are often the most realistic. Jobs that use long experience, such as tutoring, consulting, or customer-facing work, can be a good fit. The search may take patience, and personal connections often help most.

Key points

  • The ADEA has no upper age limit; it protects workers 40 and older.
  • Part-time and flexible roles are often the best fit in your 70s.
  • Community connections are a strong source of leads.
  • Free local career centers can help with resumes and applications.

What kinds of work are realistic at 75?

Many people in their 70s look for work that is flexible and not too physically demanding. Common options include:

Openings depend heavily on where you live. Your past experience and your network matter more than any list.

Is age discrimination a concern?

It can be. Bias exists, and some employers make unfair assumptions. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) protects people 40 and older, with no upper age limit, from discrimination by employers with 20 or more employees. Some state laws cover smaller employers. See our age discrimination page.

How do you start?

  1. Think about what you want. How many hours? How much activity? Do you want to be around people?
  2. Talk to people you know. Friends, neighbors, faith communities, clubs, and former colleagues often know about local openings.
  3. Prepare a short resume. One page, focused on relevant skills, is often enough for part-time work.
  4. Make sure you have a working email address. If you need one, see how to create an email address.
  5. Get free help. Local career centers can help with applications. Find one through CareerOneStop (opens in a new tab).
  6. Look into SCSEP. The Senior Community Service Employment Program (opens in a new tab) offers paid training at community organizations for people 55 and older with limited income.

How do you stay safe while searching?

People of every age are targeted by job scams. Be cautious of any job that asks you to pay upfront, deposit checks, or share bank details before you are hired. Use our scam check and see the FTC's guidance on job scams (opens in a new tab).

Where to go next

Frequently asked questions

Is there a maximum age for working?

No. Federal age discrimination law protects people 40 and older with no upper limit. A few specific jobs have legal age rules for safety reasons, such as some public safety and aviation roles, but most jobs do not. For nearly all work, what matters is whether you can do the job.

Do employers hire people in their 70s?

Some do, especially for part-time, seasonal, and flexible roles, and for work where experience and reliability are valued. Results vary by employer and location. Personal referrals and local connections often help the most. Being clear about the hours and type of work you want also makes it easier for people to point you to the right openings.

Will working affect my Medicare?

Working does not end Medicare eligibility. If a new job offers health coverage, how it works with Medicare depends on your situation and the size of the employer. Medicare.gov explains the rules. Before you enroll in any job-based plan, ask the employer how it works with Medicare, and consider talking with a benefits counselor.

Current jobs to explore

Sources

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