Market reference note: This article covers information from both Korea and the United States. Each item is labeled 🇰🇷 Korea or 🇺🇸 U.S. in the text to indicate which country it applies to.
When your parents say they want to "do something," it's only natural to worry as a child. Are they healthy enough? Will the work be too hard? Yet research consistently points to the same conclusion: people who remain connected to society as they age enjoy better physical and mental health in their later years than those who do not. Both countries have built this insight into their policies.
🇰🇷 Korea Through its 2026 Senior Employment and Social Activity Support Program (노인일자리 및 사회활동 지원사업), Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare (보건복지부) is providing a record-high 1,152,000 jobs — an increase of 54,000 from the previous year's 1,098,000. As the population ages rapidly, this program has become a cornerstone policy for promoting older adults' social participation and supplementing their income at the same time.
🇰🇷 Korea Job types can be chosen based on the older adult's health condition and desired income. The Public Service Activity type (공익활동형) is for recipients of the Basic Pension (기초연금) aged 65 and older; participants receive approximately 290,000 won per month for 30 hours of activity. The Social Service type (사회서비스형) is for those aged 65 and older (60 and older for some categories) and involves roles such as assisting at childcare facilities, supporting administrative tasks, and guiding kiosk use; participants can receive up to approximately 760,000 won per month based on 60 hours. The Market-type and Employment Referral type (시장형·취업알선형) are open to those aged 60 and older and lead to more active economic participation, such as operating senior cafes or being connected to jobs at private companies. For those in the Public Service Activity type, the activity allowance is excluded from the income calculation used to determine the Basic Pension amount, so participants need not worry about it affecting their pension.
🇰🇷 Korea Applications can be submitted in person at participating organizations such as Senior Clubs (시니어클럽), Senior Welfare Centers (노인복지관), and the Korea Senior Citizens Association Employment Support Center (대한노인회 취업지원센터), or online at the Senior Jobs Here (노인일자리 여기) website (seniorro.or.kr). Regular recruitment is concentrated each December, but vacancies are filled on a rolling basis throughout the year, so applying now is not too late. All participants are also enrolled in accident insurance, providing coverage if an incident occurs during an activity.
🇺🇸 U.S. In the United States, SCSEP (Senior Community Service Employment Program) was established under the Older Americans Act of 1965. Operated by the U.S. Department of Labor, this program provides part-time job training opportunities at community organizations for low-income older adults who are 55 or older, unemployed, and whose household income is at or below 125% of the Federal Poverty Level. Participants work an average of 20 hours per week and receive whichever is the highest among federal, state, and local minimum wages.
🇺🇸 U.S. SCSEP participants gain hands-on work experience at nonprofits and public agencies — including schools, hospitals, daycare centers, and senior centers — and use that experience as a stepping stone into the private job market. In 2026, Congress allocated approximately $395 million to this program. However, as federal budget discussions continue, the program's future has become a point of contention. If you are considering applying, we recommend first checking the current operating status through your nearest SCSEP provider or the Older Worker Program Finder on CareerOneStop. Korean American seniors who are 65 or older, have a disability, or have limited English proficiency may be eligible for priority enrollment.
At their core, both countries' programs are less about "income" and more about "connection." Work gives people a reason to leave the house each day, someone to talk to, and a renewed sense of being useful. When your parents say they want to work again, rather than discouraging them, it may be a better choice to explore together which type of work suits their body and mind.
Sources: Ministry of Health and Welfare (보건복지부) Senior Employment and Social Activity Support Program announcement (2026); Korea Employment Agency for the Elderly and Retired (한국노인인력개발원); Media Life (미디어생활) report (February 2, 2026); U.S. Department of Labor SCSEP official page; CNBC report (May 16, 2026); National Council on Aging (NCOA) SCSEP guide; Senior Jobs Here (노인일자리 여기) (seniorro.or.kr).
Note: This article was compiled by AI from the sources cited above. We strive for accuracy, but for decisions about your specific situation, please confirm the latest guidance from a professional or the relevant agency.