Retirement doesn’t look the same for everyone. Some people want quiet mornings and wide-open calendars. Others want a reason to get moving, make money, and stay useful during the week. If you’ve been wondering whether truck driving is a good retirement job, the answer depends on what you want this next stage of life to feel like.
Do You Need Extra Income?
Retirement can be expensive. Heading into it, you probably had money saved through a pension, 401(k), Social Security, or another retirement account. But if that income doesn’t stretch as far as you expected, truck driving is a career you can get into without years of schooling, and it can generate additional income for bills or recreation.
In fact, transportation is one of the industries with higher starting pay. New drivers can start around the $50,000 mark, and that pay increases as you gain experience. When you compare that to the pay of other common retirement jobs like cashiering, it’s obvious why so many retirees choose to go into trucking.
Do You Need Benefits?
Once you turn 65, you qualify for Medicare, and generally, this offers comprehensive health coverage at a much more affordable price than private coverage. Still, there are some situations where employer-sponsored insurance is the better option for you or your family. For example, a younger spouse may still need coverage through your job. Most trucking companies offer full benefits, including health insurance, so taking on truck driving allows you to bring in income while also keeping stronger coverage in place.
Do You Like Traveling?
Many retirees dream of seeing more of the country. But travel can be expensive, especially when you’re paying for gas, lodging, and time away from home yourself. If you want to travel around the country at someone else’s expense rather than your own, consider truck driving. As part of the job, you’ll pass through all sorts of different places. While you won’t be able to vacation while on the job, you can take in the sights, enjoy the change of scenery, and experience parts of the country you may not have visited otherwise.
Do You Hate Being Idle?
Some retirees love the idea of being able to slow down. Others can’t stand sitting around after years of working full schedules. If you’re part of the latter group, truck driving gives you something to do with your day besides waiting around for the next errand.
You’ll spend much of your time driving, but the work doesn’t always stop when the truck is parked. Depending on the job, you may load freight, unload deliveries, or handle basic maintenance tasks like lubricating your semi’s fifth wheel or refilling fluids before getting back on the road. For someone who feels better with a full day and a clear task in front of them, truck driving can offer the kind of routine retirement doesn’t always provide.
Is This Road Worth Taking?
Truck driving can be a good retirement job, but it isn’t the job for every retiree. Some downsides include long hours, time away from home, physical tasks, and days that don’t always end when planned. But if you could use the extra income and benefits, and like the sound of a job where you can travel and stay busy, you might like this line of work. Give it a shot and see.
