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A Seniors Guide report draws on two surveys and the experience of a couple who resell used goods to describe why some retirees pursue side hustles. The surveys indicate that income is only one motivation; productivity and social or mental stimulation also matter. The report does not establish that side hustles reliably replace retirement income, and business costs and risks remain important.
A Seniors Guide report on retirement side hustles combines survey findings with the story of a couple building an online resale business, as some retirees seek paid work for both extra income and personal fulfillment. The couple, Wendy and Cevin Williamson, reported $75,000 in gross eBay revenue in 2025 through their business, Nina’s Jewels; that figure is revenue, not stated profit or personal income.
According to the report, a 2026 survey by Western & Southern Financial Group found that 45% of retirees were working in some paid capacity. Nearly two-thirds of retirees in the survey who were working or considering work said their reasons were personal, most often a desire to stay productive and mentally sharp; one-third cited financial necessity. The report does not provide the survey’s sample size or methodology.
A D.A. Davidson report from the previous year found that six in 10 retirees wished they had a side hustle to support their preferred retirement lifestyle. Nearly two-thirds of respondents aged 50 and older who had not yet left full-time work were considering a side gig after retirement. Among retirees with side hustles, 55% said they pursued the work for mental or social stimulation, according to the report.
The Williamsons began reselling unwanted household goods and used clothing, then expanded into vintage toys and trading cards before buying items to resell. They list goods across marketplaces including eBay, Poshmark, Mercari, Etsy and Depop. Nina’s Jewels also earns smaller amounts through YouTube advertising and affiliate commissions, the report says. The couple formed a limited liability company in 2021; they say they initially used items they already owned and reinvested proceeds rather than drawing on savings or money needed for living expenses.
Side Work Can Serve More Than One Goal
The findings suggest that retirement work is not only a response to financial pressure. For some people, a paid sideline can combine supplemental earnings with routine, activity and social or mental engagement. That combination may make a small business appealing to people who want to remain active after leaving full-time employment, though the survey results describe respondents’ motivations rather than proving health or financial outcomes.
The Williamson example also shows why reported sales should not be mistaken for dependable retirement income. Their $75,000 figure is gross revenue from eBay alone, not profit after inventory, platform fees, shipping, taxes and other costs. The report gives no net earnings figure or evidence that this level of sales is typical. Readers considering similar work would need to weigh costs, time commitments and the possibility that sales fluctuate.
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From Household Sales to a Business
Wendy Williamson had sold household items online for about a decade before the couple began developing the venture more seriously in 2018, a year after their marriage. They initially sold Cevin Williamson’s collections, including vintage toys and trading cards, and later sourced goods from garage sales, thrift stores and online vendors. The report says they once purchased the contents of an abandoned storage unit, illustrating that resale can involve taking on inventory risk.
The couple’s approach reflects a wider point in the report: a side hustle need not begin as a large investment. Nick Loper, founder of the Side Hustle Nation resource and community, advises people approaching fixed income to be cautious about committing substantial startup capital. The report also quotes accountant Catherine Roe advising business owners to protect retirement savings from risks associated with starting a business. It does not detail her specific recommendations.
“The last thing you need is a second job that you come to dread.”
— Nick Loper, as quoted by Seniors Guide
Costs and Earnings Remain Unreported
The report does not state the Williamsons’ net profit, operating costs or take-home income, so its gross-revenue figure cannot show how much the business contributes to their retirement finances. It also does not establish whether their experience is representative of other resellers. The survey summaries provide headline percentages but omit sample sizes, dates of fieldwork and detailed methods, limiting comparisons across the two studies.
It is also unclear how much time the business requires, how its revenue varies from year to year, or whether it will become the couple’s primary earned income after Wendy retires and they close or sell their framing store. The report describes that as their plan, not as an outcome already achieved. Business and tax obligations can vary, and the source does not provide individualized financial guidance.
The Couple Plans a Larger Retirement Role
The Williamsons expect Nina’s Jewels to play a larger role in their earned income when Wendy retires and the couple closes or sells their framing business, according to Seniors Guide. The report does not give a retirement date or a timeline for that change. Its immediate takeaway for readers is to evaluate a potential sideline on its own terms: test demand, account for costs and time, and avoid relying on sales revenue as if it were guaranteed income. Whether the couple’s business reaches its intended role will depend on future sales and expenses, details that have not been reported.
Key Questions
What did the Western & Southern survey find?
The Seniors Guide report says a 2026 Western & Southern Financial Group survey found that 45% of retirees were working in some paid capacity. Among retirees working or considering work, nearly two-thirds cited personal reasons, most commonly wanting to stay productive and mentally sharp.
How much revenue did Nina’s Jewels report?
The couple reported $75,000 in gross eBay revenue in 2025. The report does not state net profit, expenses or the amount the owners took home.
What does the couple sell?
Wendy and Cevin Williamson resell used goods, including vintage toys, trading cards, household items and clothing. They list products on eBay and other platforms, including Poshmark, Mercari, Etsy and Depop, according to the report.
Do the surveys show that side hustles can replace retirement savings?
No. The findings describe retirees’ work status, interests and motivations. They do not establish that side hustles reliably replace retirement savings or provide a particular level of income.
What risks should people consider before starting a side hustle?
The report’s experts advise weighing startup spending, time demands and business risks, and protecting money needed for retirement. Revenue may not equal profit, and the report does not offer a personalized financial plan.
Source: seniorsguide.com
