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William Smith worked in the restaurant industry his whole career and never thought much about retirement.
When he was forced into retirement after getting hurt on the job, he had what he called a “pity party.” Now, at 67, he delivers for DoorDash to supplement his disability payments. His wife also is a “Dasher.”
“It’s the reality of life,” said Smith, of Norton, Mass. “When I was younger, I didn’t really think about retirement. I was forced to retire because I was hurt on the job. But disability just don’t cover it.”
Smith said he can only work about 20 to 25 hours a week so he doesn’t disrupt his benefit payments. In 2023, those on disability can earn $1,470 a month while still collecting benefits, according to the Social Security Administration.
He said the DoorDash activity has helped him lose 83 pounds in the past year and reduce his blood sugar level.
“I’m active and going up and down stairs more than I have in years,” Smith said. “I don’t like to climb stairs but I do.”
“I like having some work to do. I just sat in front of the TV, 24-7, eating all day. Having a pity party maybe. This has got me more active. People who I know see a big difference in my attitude. I’ve made friends,” he said.
Smith said he plans to work for DoorDash for as long as he can.
“As long as my body will hold up. Life is a pickle. You don’t know when things will change. But here I’m not sitting in front of the TV and gaining all the weight back,” Smith said. “This is it. I like the extra money I’m getting. I don’t know what else to do. I wouldn’t switch.”
Smith said he’s been “Top Dasher,” or among those who make 100 deliveries in a month for almost all the months he’s been working for DoorDash. That distinction gives him more choice on his schedule.
Read: ‘There’s no retirement in this job,’ gig workers say
Smith isn’t alone. More than a quarter (27%) of older workers are doing freelance or gig work, according to AARP. While 89% of gig workers say making extra money is their primary motivation, flexible work hours are a close second at 87%, AARP said.
“When people say that they like working because it gets them out of the house it’s a human way people make a bad situation better,” said Teresa Ghilarducci, the Bernard L. and Irene Schwartz Professor of Economics at the New School.
“Having to work in one of the lowest-paid and intense jobs in the economy at age 67 is almost always because of the lack of meaningful retirement benefits and savings and Social Security paying about $1,000 per month. Research shows jobs with high physical requirements and low pay have a negative effect on the person’s health,” Ghilarducci said.
According to the JPMorgan Chase Institute, earnings through “platform-based” gig work such as DoorDash, Uber or Lyft typically are less than $1,000 per month. Earnest.com estimated that average monthly earnings from gig work are $299 per month and under $110 per month for half of all gig workers.
In New York City, delivery workers for DoorDash, Uber, Grubhub and other app platforms will make at least $17.96 an hour without tips by July 12, and at least $19.96 an hour by 2025. That compares with the current $15 minimum wage for other workers in the city, which is set to rise to $16.50 by 2025.
DoorDash said it had more than six million Dashers worldwide in 2022. About 3% of its U.S.-based survey respondents identified as over age 65.
The company pointed to a recent survey that included responses from more than 200 Dashers who are over the age of 65 years. DoorDash said 72% of its older Dashers are retired but appreciate the opportunity to earn on the platform. A large majority (78%) of Dashers over 65 years old plan to continue dashing to supplement income as needed.
A total of 70% of these older Dashers said that one of the main reasons they deliver with DoorDash over other opportunities is that they’re able to work as much or as little as they want.
If flexible work were not an option, 60% of Dashers over 65 would not choose an alternative way to replace their income from dashing – either because other options aren’t enjoyable or do not meet their specific needs the way that DoorDash does, the company said.
“Every Dasher has their own unique story about why they choose to deliver with DoorDash, including older Dashers. Notably – almost 50% of Dashers over 65 say that one of the main reasons they dash is because they enjoy it,” said Cheryl Young, head of policy research at DoorDash.
DoorDash said 37% of Dashers over 65 years old say that flexible working hours are important for health-related reasons, such as being available to take care of their healthcare needs or being able to “dash” around doctors’ appointments.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity,” Smith said.
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