Millions of Americans struggle with saving for retirement due to stagnant wages and financial setbacks. Adding a side gig can help bridge the gap for a secure future. Opportunities like tutoring, consulting, transcription, and virtual assisting offer flexible options to boost income and contribute to retirement savings in 2026.

Tutoring is a lucrative side gig, with an average earning of $20 per hour. By working just five hours a week, you could earn $5,200 annually, making a significant contribution to your retirement fund. With seven hours of tutoring, you could fully fund an IRA and move closer to financial security.

Consultants sell institutional knowledge and earn an average of $50 per hour. By working three hours a week, you could max out an IRA with leftover funds. Four hours per week could make you nearly $10,400 richer in a year, offering a high-paying side gig option for 2026.

Transcription is in high demand, with starting pay ranging from $15 to $22 per audio hour. Specialized transcriptionists can earn up to $70 per hour. By dedicating seven hours per week to transcription, you could fully fund an IRA, providing a steady stream of income for retirement savings.

Virtual assisting encompasses a wide range of tasks, making it a versatile side gig option. Skills like software knowledge, organization, and social media management can earn you $18 to $21 per hour on platforms like Fiverr and Belay. Highly-specialized virtual assistants can even earn upwards of $100 per hour, offering a lucrative opportunity to boost retirement savings in 2026.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: 4 High-Paying Side Gigs To Boost Your Retirement Savings in 2026