Perks of Becoming a Truck Driver After Retirement
For most people, retirement means the end of the road regarding income generation. Needless to say, driving a truck as a full-time job does not seem tempting when one retires from their older profession (especially if it was a desk job). However, becoming a trucker has some perks that can be especially beneficial for retirees, an obvious one being the income truck driving brings home. Read further to learn about other benefits.
Career growth
Contrary to perception, driving a truck is not a stagnant career path. Once truck drivers become used to their job, they can pursue courses and training to create more career opportunities or, at the very least, increase their salary. For instance, skillful truck drivers with a history of good traffic regulation compliance can try their luck in tutoring at any truck driving school by earning the necessary certification. Besides that, individuals can even look for proper management roles in such schools. In the long term, truck drivers can also become entrepreneurs and run their own trucking companies as an owner-operator.
Employee benefits
Driving a truck comes with all the employment benefits of any professional occupation. The top trucking companies in the country all offer healthy salaries and certain other benefits. A 401k retirement plan helps retirees earn and maintain a high standard of living even after their truck driving career ends. Full dental, medical, and life insurance compensate for the money spent on dentist visits and medical supplies. The full-fledged insurance scheme offered by trucking companies helps retirees be in a relaxed state of mind while they drive trucks. Holiday pay and frequent paid time off (PTO) help drivers spend enough time with their families. This employee benefit helps truck drivers draw a clear line between their personal and professional life. In this way, trucking not only creates a steady source of income for retirees but also protects them and their families from medical bills and unforeseen circumstances.
Travel opportunities
Trucking is an ideal way of life for people who are explorers at heart. Those who love traveling, discovering new places, and meeting new people will love this profession after retirement. Trucking frequently involves driving into different states and cities, making it an ideal job for someone who may have wanted to explore the country but never had the time or money to do the same earlier. Some people frequently take long road trips to unwind after a hard day’s work. For such people, post-retirement trucking offers an irresistible career avenue.
Flexible schedules
Usually, truck drivers get to make their schedules based on their availability. So, drivers willing to work only on weekdays can choose to take the day off on Saturdays and Sundays. This provides the much-needed work-life balance for truckers and helps them spend adequate time with their loved ones. Moreover, trucking jobs do not follow the regular nine-to-five schedule that nearly all white-collar jobs do. Therefore, people can choose to work during the day or night based on their preferences. As long as they complete their daily assignments, most trucking companies allow drivers to fix their schedules according to their convenience.
Job security
A truck driving job is incredibly stable and provides excellent employment security for retired individuals. Additionally, with the trucking sector constantly growing, the industry is burgeoning with employment opportunities and career growth options. Trucking companies often look for skilled drivers; therefore, truckers who are reliable and follow traffic rules without fail c an be assured that their jobs are safe.
Learning period
Truck drivers will likely spend several hours a day alone while doing their jobs. It gives them a lot of time for self-examination and growth. During their free time, truckers can subscribe to online audio courses and podcasts to increase the scope of their skills and competencies. Additionally, this personal time can be used by drivers for mental health-boosting gentle breathing exercises and meditation to maintain a calm state of mind always.
Reimbursement of education costs
Becoming a truck driver is a relatively straightforward process; aspiring drivers must visit a driving school and earn their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Learning to drive a truck and getting the license takes about eight weeks and involves a specific cost. However, some trucking companies later reimburse about half or more of these costs or cover the learning expenses right from the course’s start. Therefore, if taken, drivers can repay their education loans on time without the risk of debt mounting by joining work soon after they complete the training process.
Benefits for family
Certain trucking jobs allow two truck drivers to work together as a team. So, a retired individual can get their unemployed spouse, partner, sibling, or child to work with them, thereby creating an additional income source for the family. Additionally, drivers can use a tag-team model for one team member to take over driving duties while the other is tired after a long shift. It makes long-haul deliveries and cross-country transportation assignments easier for both team members. Besides creating more earning avenues, teaming up allows drivers to spend quality time with their loved ones while on the job. It is a dream scenario that not many other jobs can offer.
Better use of post-retirement free time
Most retirees lament the amount of free time they have on their hands. Most often, this time is spent on fun but eventually unproductive activities such as watching TV, playing pool, socializing, or other trivial functions. Driving a truck is a proper job that provides a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment to retirees. Most importantly, this profession revives the lost spark and pleasure of working hard to earn a living for people in the post-retirement phase of their lives.
