Posted on October 24, 2007

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Retirees Increasingly Turn to 'Paid Volunteering' Jobs in Nonprofit Sector

While the concept of "paid volunteering" may sound oxymoronic, an increasing number of retirees and nonprofit executives say it aptly describes how modern retirees view work in the nonprofit sector, the New York Times reports.

No one has gathered statistics on the tendency for retirees to seek paid employment in the nonprofit sector, but experts say it is likely that the automatic link between doing good and working without pay has been permanently severed. Economists, behavioral scientists, and gerontologists point to several reasons. For example, some retirees need the salary. People expect to live for many decades beyond retirement. Moreover, many started their families late and find themselves financially responsible for children and aging parents, making unpaid volunteerism impractical. "People used to say, 'Here I am, what do you need done?' " said Deborah Russell, director of workforce issues for AARP. "Today's retirees say, 'Here's what I do well, how can you use it, and what will you pay?' "

In addition, the tasks that retirees take on have changed, and paid workers are unlikely to be assigned jobs such as licking stamps or ladling soup. In addition, many retirees have learned that what they give for free is discounted as worthless. According to nonprofit executives, paid employees work harder and seem more committed to their jobs.

Gail Magaliff, who heads FEGS, formerly known as the Federation Employment and Guidance Service, said paid employees are more likely than volunteers to remain to finish a task. The growing willingness among retirees to work for low pay has given rise to groups such as ReServe and Civic Ventures' Experience Corps, which help match skilled retirees with low-paying public service jobs.

Though some experts worry that paid volunteering will detract from the psychological satisfaction of doing good, for the baby boomers — a generation that works for love as well as money — treating a volunteer job like work may be the right approach. "I'm doing serious paid work on a luxury schedule," said A. Allen Korenberg, a retired education consultant. "I have a time sheet, I have responsibilities, I feel there are consequences if I don't show up. I don't feel like a retiree who's killing time."

Deutsch, Claudia. “For Love and a Little Money.” New York Times 10/23/07.

Primary Subject: Philanthropy and Voluntarism
Location(s): National

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