Pensioners are a vulnerable category of the population, because pension provision in Russia is small (the average pension in the country is 14,300 rubles), and the cost of utilities and medicines is constantly increasing.
Some retired citizens continue to work if they have the strength and health allows. But this option is not suitable for everyone, so all that remains is to survive on retirement. An alternative is “business” for retirees.
Pensioners are advised to pay attention to the most relaxed types of businesses that do not require mastering complex processes and skills, are cheap to open, or provide the opportunity to earn money directly from a hobby.
So, what can a retiree do on his own to generate additional income? Let's consider many options with all the pros and cons.
Beekeeping
This is one of the activities that is more for the soul than for earning money. You can create an apiary at your own dacha or organize the transportation of hives from place to place. The business will not immediately begin to generate income. The first year will be spent learning the intricacies of the process, but from next year you can start thinking about profits.
How to survive as a pensioner in Russia - ideas and options for earning money
The advantage of such an event is a small income, which is an increase in pension. The downside is that investments will be required - for example, to create an apiary of 10 hives you will need about 90 thousand rubles.
Ways to earn money that require investing money and/or time
Anyone involved in strategic planning knows that the best results can be achieved if you invest money and time in your work. For example, a retiree can resell pages on social networks or websites, but first he will have to bring them to a high level of recognition. This will require financial investments, as well as a time period of six months or more.
Blogging
A blog is a page or website on which a user shares his impressions, tells interesting stories from his life, or gives recommendations. Types of blog include:
- classical
- commercial
- personal
An important aspect for effective promotion is creating a content plan and choosing a suitable channel for blogging.
Youtube
The YouTube channel is aimed at bloggers who create and promote video content.
A pensioner can shoot thematic videos, for example, “How to create the most delicious pickles,” “How to embroider with beads correctly,” and so on, where it is important to demonstrate each stage of the process. A YouTube video blogger with 100,000 subscribers can earn an impressive amount of $50-$150 daily.
Social media
Social media is an ideal platform for aspiring bloggers. Using the word of mouth method, you can get more than a thousand subscribers on your page in a matter of weeks:
- The VKontakte social network is aimed at residents of the CIS countries; using this platform you can distribute photos, videos and text content.
- Facebook is aimed at European and American users; it is believed that it has a more solvent audience.
- Odnoklassniki is popular among Russians over 50 years old. The platform is suitable for those pensioners who create text content: recipes, articles about the benefits of home-cooked food, life hacks, etc.
- The Telegram channel can serve as an additional tool for informing readers. Its main disadvantage is the inability to like and comment on posts, which makes it difficult for the channel author to track the reader’s reaction.
A Telegram channel that has 1,000 subscribers can receive $4 per advertising post. On social networks, advertising in a group consisting of 10,000 participants will cost from 400 to 1000 rubles, in a group with 50 thousand participants - from 2 to 3 thousand. It all depends on the topic of the group and the quality of the audience.
"Yandex.Zen"
Yandex.Zen is one of the most popular Russian platforms, which over the 4 years of its active existence has managed to gather a lot of fans. Its main feature is the ability to generate a feed of publications that correspond to the interests and preferences of the user. This is a kind of multifaceted New York Times, which every amateur journalist has access to. In March 2019, the resource was visited by 43 million users, and at least 10 million people visit the site every 24 hours.
Website
YouTube blog interface
For lovers of extensive articles, individual space and multifaceted blogs, LiveJournal, sites created by Blogger, WordPress, Ghost, Weebly are suitable. As a rule, on such resources you can create categories and post your publications on certain topics. The difficulty in maintaining a website lies in the complex interface and the need to constantly “lure” readers to your page.
Whatever resource is chosen for the blog, you need to understand the characteristics of the audience. For example, if a pensioner writes articles about youth organizations and English language courses for teenagers, then the Odnoklassniki social network will not give the desired feedback and increase the number of readers; VKontakte and Telegram are much better suited. Social networks allow you to clearly segment users and find interested readers due to the fact that everyone posts information on their page in accordance with their own preferences: favorite writers, hobbies, status, wish list.
Infobusiness
Opportunity to earn income from the sale of an information product. In your free time, you can teach online courses, conduct webinars and prepare students for entrance exams without leaving your home. Such courses usually have a relatively low price, but generate significant income due to mass distribution. At the same time, a pensioner can both share his own life experience and sell other people’s courses. The more beautiful the presentation and the better the advertising, the better the product sells.
Partnership programs
An affiliate program is, first of all, a business cooperation between the owner of an online store and another portal that is focused on sales. The store owner provides the partner with a link, which he distributes on the pages of his personal website, blog, or channel. And everyone who follows the link will become a referral, after which they need to make a purchase. The partner who placed the link will be able to receive a percentage of the purchases made by his referral.
The main advantages of affiliate programs:
- There is no need to have your own product or service.
- There is almost no need to pay any fees or commissions.
- The opportunity to work on behalf of a large brand, and, accordingly, receive help from the creators.
- The relevance of affiliate programs in all niches.
With affiliate programs you can earn income from 4 to 7% of the total purchase amount, but in some niches the accruals may be higher. For example, if we are talking about information products, then you can get 90% for them.
If you are in partnership with an enterprise that sells goods, you can get from 5 to 15%, less often - 40%. The final earnings are formed on the basis of several factors: the quantity and quality of traffic, the amount of deductions, and the quality of the product.
Network marketing
Network marketing is another option for promoting a product from manufacturer to buyer using recommendations and word of mouth. It is similar to affiliate programs, but at the same time it makes it possible to build a structure of distributors and receive a percentage of their sales.
The main positive aspects of network marketing include:
- the possibility of its implementation without additional capital investments;
- Such a partnership improves leadership and communication skills well.
Structure of distributors in network marketing
If an elderly person has some authority among his friends, then he may well be able to build a profitable and stable business.
Among the well-known companies that practice network marketing are Amway, Avon, Oriflame, Mary Kay, Faberlic. The Avon cosmetics brand receives a third of its customers thanks to effective network marketing.
Selling cotton candy
An activity that does not require specialized skills or effort from a pensioner. Cotton candy has a quite “appetizing” markup, which is 4000%. If you sell it in combination, for example, with juices and some kind of snack, then the result will be a profitable business.
The best option is to open several points in park areas. The advantages of this option are a minimum investment, no special skills are required. Cons: It will be difficult to find a place to sell cotton candy.
Home work for retirees
If you have not found any suitable type of work from the above methods, then you should look for them on the Internet. Working on the Internet for pensioners has a number of advantages, first of all, they can be hired here regardless of age and level of education, and also because such work can be done at home.
When a pensioner has responsibility (and pensioners are generally disciplined people), a good level of language skills and knows how to use a computer, then he can easily work on the Internet. Online salaries are paid in the form of electronic money, and in order to have somewhere to pay them, it is necessary to create electronic wallets. You can create them in such popular payment systems as: Webmoney or Yandex.Money.
Your grandchildren and children, who are advanced in such matters, can help you. In addition, there are many videos on the Internet about how to create electronic wallets. In the future, the earned electronic money can be cashed out by transferring it to a bank account or plastic card.
Babysitting at home
If you have experience in raising children and your health allows, then you can consider the option of opening a kindergarten at home. Thanks to this business, queues in state kindergartens are reduced, so you can get a subsidy from the state.
The most popular place for a private kindergarten is a new multi-storey area, where local governments do not have time to meet the population’s needs for kindergartens. In such places, parents are actively looking for someone to leave their child with.
Plus – stable profit. Disadvantage: it requires a lot of moral and physical effort; there may be problems with starting your own business, documentation, etc.
Additional materials on the topic
Check out detailed articles that will help you find interesting jobs online:
How to rewrite? Master class for beginner copywriters on how to rewrite texts.
Freelance exchanges The most popular services that publish job vacancies on the Internet.
Earning money on social networks From simple options that do not require extensive experience on the Internet, to more complex ones - making money on groups and public pages on the VKontakte network.
Author: Sergey Antropov (KadrofID: 5) Added: 02/27/2015 at 16:35
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Comments (22)
Adam (KadrofID: 1227)
Hello. Typo in the article “How much can you earn from writing texts?” Namely in the second paragraph, third line from the bottom, in the word “Search” queries.
07/21/2015 at 10:02
Vladimir (KadrofID: 2383)
Hello Sergey. I am 58 years old and will retire soon. I want to learn a programming program. Tell me how real this is. I was always good at math. Sincerely, Vladimir.
08/18/2015 at 09:54
Sergey Antropov (KadrofID: 5)
Good afternoon, Adam! Thank you very much, the typo has been corrected.
10/02/2015 at 18:14
Sergey Antropov (KadrofID: 5)
Good afternoon, Vladimir! Unfortunately, I don’t quite know what a programming program is. If you have any programming language in mind, then I would recommend trying website layout. You can master it quickly enough and make good money from it. The services of layout designers on the Internet are in demand. If you know mathematics well, then you can still make money on student work exchanges: https://kadrof.ru/cat_exchange.shtml#student There you can earn money by helping solve problems, tests, etc. This is if there is interest in such activities.
10/02/2015 at 18:17
Zilara (KadrofID: 9767)
I am a pensioner. I would like to work on the Internet. Interesting.
02/14/2016 at 19:11
IRINA Perepelitsa (KadrofID: 10185)
Hello, Sergey! I write poems, songs /for children/, congratulations, slogans, stories, scripts, I can edit texts, proofread, edit, advertise products in poems and songs. And I'm 56.
02/25/2016 at 16:16
Sergey Antropov (KadrofID: 5)
Irina, try to make money on the Miratext service. More details about it: The service offers work, including writing poetry.
03/10/2016 at 14:21
Sergey Antropov (KadrofID: 5)
Zilara, look at our articles for beginning freelancers: Basic information about starting freelancing is collected there. I also recommend downloading and reading the book “Become a Freelancer.” It is distributed free of charge and contains more than 10 years of experience of my work as a freelancer. Will help you get started and answer most questions. You can download the book here:
03/10/2016 at 14:28
Tatiana (KadrofID: 14933)
I'm a pensioner. I really want to work remotely. I've been looking for a job on the Internet for 7 months now, but I only run into a scam. Tell me which sites you can earn extra money on without investment.
07/13/2016 at 21:42
Sergey Antropov (KadrofID: 5)
Tatyana, read the book “How to become a freelancer”: It outlines the basics that will help you start making money as a freelancer. The book is free. Written based on personal experience (more than 10 years of freelancing).
10/30/2016 at 16:01
Sergey Viktorovich (KadrofID: 30372)
Hello. 1.How can I respond to a specific user, for example, Irina or Zilara?
05/08/2017 at 19:02
Sergey Antropov (KadrofID: 5)
Good afternoon, Sergey Viktorovich! You can write in the comment the name of the user you are replying to. There is no special functionality for answering on the site yet, but perhaps we will do so in the future.
05/17/2017 at 22:10
maximini (KadrofID: 42342)
Yes, it’s true that for us pensioners it’s a good way to earn extra money, we just need to be good with the Internet and with your help we will master the Internet.
01/22/2018 at 20:19
carrier937 (KadrofID: 42531)
Hello, interesting offers! I would like to earn at least 30,000 rubles a month and surf the Internet for no more than six hours. What can you offer me? Stanislav.
01/27/2018 at 05:02
Galina (KadrofID: 66045)
I worked at the Pension Fund for more than 28 years. The work is specific, although I have an economic education, what would you advise me? I moved away from accounting and economics a long time ago. The programs were departmental and highly specialized.
08/14/2018 at 12:31
Elena (KadrofID: 68803)
Hello! I'm from Belarus. I am a pensioner, still working, but I really want to finish my career. Unfortunately, for a pension of 180 USD life is difficult. I teach the basics of computer operation, assembly language and VM architecture. Please tell me what options for part-time work there might be?
10/19/2018 at 11:34
Nikolai Petrovich (KadrofID: 108880)
Hello, dear site administration! I am from Belarus, a retired radio electronics engineer, Candidate of Technical Sciences, specialty “Control systems and communications.” Please tell me what options for part-time work there may be?
06/24/2020 at 22:15
Sergey Antropov (KadrofID: 5)
Hello, Nikolai Petrovich!
For engineers, there are special sites on the Internet where you can look for one-time orders or permanent remote work. The list of sites can be found here:
You can also master one of the professions in demand on the Internet. A catalog of such professions is here: For example, now you can make good money programming.
04.07.2020 at 13:32
Sergey Antropov (KadrofID: 5)
Hello, Galina! You write well. Perhaps the profession of a copywriter (writing texts for websites, articles) will suit you. Our website has a free course that helps you learn the basics of the profession and start making money in copywriting. Here he is:
04.07.2020 at 13:34
Sergey Antropov (KadrofID: 5)
Hello, Elena! In your case, you can master one of the programming languages (PHP, Python, JS) and earn money by designing websites, programming, setting up a CMS, etc. After assembly, you will quickly master all these languages. You can work in the field of web programming. Now there is a shortage of personnel and good salaries.
04.07.2020 at 13:36
farell (KadrofID: 123066)
I have a video on several social networks. I tried to launch it on social networks myself, but was unsuccessful. I want to hire a specialist for promotion. These are not global themes, but stories from private life. Where and how to find a specialist for a modest fee?
02/24/2021 at 10:01
Sergey Antropov (KadrofID: 5)
Farell, try adding a project to the Exchange: Here you can post a vacancy for freelancers for free.
02/28/2021 at 22:11
Cakes to order
If your hobby is baking, and you spoil your children or grandchildren with delicious cakes every time, then this option is suitable for you. To do this activity, you really need to love cooking, be aware of culinary innovations, etc. The initial investment is about 30 thousand rubles. Cakes made from mastic are popular among the population. The markup on the finished product is 200-300%. When implementing this method of earning money, there may be certain difficulties - finding clients.
Three options on how to avoid becoming a poor pensioner, depending on your income
How can a pensioner make money on the Internet?
The most popular options for generating income for retirees are:
- performing simple tasks: from clicking and writing comments to processing photos and taking paid surveys;
- Freelancing is suitable for programmers, designers, webmasters, copywriters. But it is not always necessary to have such specific knowledge. For example, you can become a moderator of various forums or social networks;
- opening and maintaining a Youtube channel. The elderly age of a blogger can attract many users. If a pensioner knows how to narrate and design videos, then he will be able to retain the audience;
- dropshipping allows you to earn up to several tens of thousands of rubles per month. The scheme of this method involves searching for a wholesale supplier and reaching an agreement on cooperation. Product descriptions are posted on our own Internet resources. You can attract customers through advertising or using email newsletters. After receiving a request from the buyer, you need to order delivery from the supplier to the client's address. All that remains is to pay the wholesale price, leaving the markup for yourself.
Important! The final earnings are determined primarily by the pensioner’s ability to “sell” his skills and negotiate with partners.
Jobs for men on the Internet
Elderly men are advised to pay attention to the following types of earning money on the Internet:
- investment;
- online consultations;
- a blog or Youtube channel about fishing/any craft;
- dropshipping.
As practice shows, it is more difficult for men to make money on the Internet, because most pensioners have been engaged in physical labor throughout their lives and they will have to study a lot of materials to achieve the required level of earnings on the Internet.
For women
Women pensioners have more opportunities:
- tutoring;
- opening your own blog;
- copywriting;
- sale of hand-made products;
- teaching music or art.
In general, the ability of women and men to make money online depends on what they did in the past and how well they did it.
Business ideas on the Internet for retirees without and with investments
You can earn money without investment only if you have significant knowledge in certain areas. As an example:
- copywriting . Creation of useful materials for information sites. With the gradual development of skills, you can move on to writing selling articles. This option is relevant primarily for former teachers of Russian language and literature or journalists. To get started, just familiarize yourself with anti-plagiarism technology, the work of the exchange and the search for customers. In the first few months, you can reach a stable income of 20-25 thousand rubles;
- tutoring . This activity is especially in demand now, when parents are interested in their children passing exams and can pay for the services of a specialist. One hour of tutoring is estimated at 500-600 rubles. To do this remotely, you just need to find a client and have a regular laptop with a camera, a network connection and Skype. Suitable for teachers. You can get started more effectively by asking your students or colleagues to make recommendations to interested parties;
- online consultations . Almost the same as tutoring, but clients are not only schoolchildren or students, but also other categories of the population. Payment per hour is 1.5-2 times higher than in the previous version. Depends on the results achieved in the past in work activity. As the most relevant examples: psychology, programming, investing, etc.
If a pensioner is interested in achieving a stable income in a short time, and at the same time has some initial capital, other methods are available to him:
- opening your own website or blog . You can do the development yourself, but if you don’t have programming skills, you’ll have to spend money on a specialist. Achieving even an average level of income will require a lot of time and effort. Therefore, before opening, you should assess in advance what will attract users;
- investing . Not very popular in Russia, but for people with an analytical mindset it can be the best option for increasing investments. Characterized by high risks;
- infobusiness . The scheme and requirements are similar to online consultations, but the implementation format differs. If consultation usually involves an individual approach, then information business implies mass training. Suitable for retirees who understand the following areas: health, spending money, attracting clients, etc.
Reference! Regardless of the method chosen, it is important to initially determine the profitability of the method so as not to waste available capital.
Work for a pensioner outside the World Wide Web
An elderly person can earn money without the Internet. The most common options for generating income off the World Wide Web are:
- jewelry, soft toys and other handmade goods;
- growing flowers, seedlings, vegetables, etc.;
- repair of household appliances;
- renting out a cottage/apartment.
It is also worth noting other ways of working for retirees: confectionery at home, working as a nanny, carpentry services - it all depends on what skills the person has.
So, there are many ways for retirees to earn income online. Which options an elderly person can take advantage of is determined primarily by what he did before retiring. Therefore, before choosing the appropriate method, you need to evaluate your own capabilities and available resources.
