Retirement is the end of one chapter — your work life — and the beginning of another: Your new life.
For some seniors, retirement is an opportunity to travel the world. For others, it’s about having the time to pick up old hobbies or try something new. But retirement offers an even bigger benefit: the chance for lifelong learning after retirement.
Not sure where to get started? We’ve got you covered with 10 ways to continue your education after retirement.
1. BOOK CLUBS
Book clubs are a great way to meet new people and learn new things. Community centers or local coffee shops may have ads for neighborhood book clubs, or you can start your own with just one or two friends. These groups offer opportunities to socialize and the chance to expand your horizons.
Plus, you’d be ahead of the curve. According to data from YouGov, 46% of Americans didn’t read a book in 2023. Book clubs offer lifelong learning for seniors, one page at a time.
2. ADULT LEARNING CENTERS
Adult learning centers are another option for education in retirement. You may have seen advertisements for these centers or passed by them in your neighborhood, and you’ve probably asked yourself, “What are they teaching in there?”
The answer is just about anything. You could enroll in senior learning programs that focus on history, science, acting or financial management, to name a few. Plus, learning centers regularly update their course catalogs so you never run out of new options.
3. ONLINE CLASSES
If you prefer to learn in the comfort of your own home, consider online classes. Platforms such as Coursera, Khan Academy and edX all offer a host of lifelong learning programs for seniors. You can learn about computer programming, economics, U.S. history or personal finance. Some online schools also offer pathways to certification or accreditation if you’re considering a second career (or just want to challenge yourself).
4. COLLEGE EDUCATION
Want the full education experience? It’s never too late to consider going to college. As noted by NASDAQ, a growing number of U.S. retirees are now returning to college or exploring post-secondary schools for the first time. College offers the dual benefits of huge course selections and built-in social circles to help facilitate lifelong learning for senior citizens.
5. LEARNING A SECOND LANGUAGE
If you’re considering a trip around the world or have specific countries on your bucket list, why not learn another language?
Apps like Duolingo let you start with the basics and build your way up to a working knowledge of languages like French, Spanish, Mandarin or even Norwegian. Many adult learning centers also offer language classes if you prefer in-person learning.
6. PUBLIC SPEAKING
Terrified of public speaking? You’re not alone — over 75% of people agree it’s a scary prospect. If you’ve decided to push the envelope, however, there are options to boost your confidence. For example, Toastmasters has been helping its members overcome their fear of public speaking since 1924.
7. COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERING
If you’re interested in learning new things while staying close to home, consider volunteering in your local community. Senior learning opportunities can often be found at local libraries, museums, community centers or charitable organizations such as shelters, food banks and soup kitchens.
Volunteering is a great way to meet new people and learn from their experiences, in turn broadening your perspective (and maybe making a few friends along the way).
8. POTTERY LESSONS
Pottery is growing in popularity for young and old alike. There’s something satisfying about shaping and molding clay and then putting it through the fire (literally) to produce a finished product. Local pottery classes let you work with different materials and use various techniques to create ceramic pieces that last for years or decades.
Plus, you get the benefit of a good workout and a class full of like-minded potters.
9. HOME MAINTENANCE
According to data from the AARP, 77% of older adults want to stay in their homes for as long as possible, rather than moving to a care facility. If home is where your heart is, this is a great opportunity for continuing education in retirement. The more maintenance and repair work you can do around your home, the more you learn — and the less you pay for repairs.
Best bet? Start with small projects, such as fixing popped nails or re-caulking seams and windows. YouTube is a great resource for how-to videos, offering everything from in-depth advice to quick overviews that help get you on the right path. The result is a win-win — you get to enjoy your retirement in the comfort of your own home, even as you learn more about keeping it in great shape.
MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR NEXT CHAPTER
Continuing education for seniors is a great way to enjoy retirement. The challenge? It’s hard to focus on expanding your horizons if you’re not financially stable. If you’re on the road to retirement but your cash flow lags behind, it’s worth considering a life insurance settlement.
Life settlements are a great way to get value from life insurance policies you no longer need. While they’re similar to cash surrender, they typically offer much higher returns. In the case of cash surrender, you’re simply canceling your policy. You receive a fixed amount — the cash surrender value — based on the type of insurance you have and how much you’ve contributed over the policy’s life.
A life settlement, meanwhile, is the sale of your policy to a third-party purchaser. They take over your policy — including all fees and premiums — and collect the death benefit when you die. In return, you get a lump sum. A life settlement advisor can help you find and negotiate with multiple buyers to get the best value for your policy and set you on the path to lifelong learning after retirement.
