Kiwis Over 65 Contribute $34 Billion Annually to the Economy

Walking through the historic streets of Charleston, South Carolina, last Tuesday, I noticed something that stopped me in my tracks: a woman in her late sixties, wearing a faded Gullah Geechee heritage t-shirt, expertly negotiating a contract for her small sweetgrass basket stand at the City Market. It wasn’t just the intricate craftsmanship of her work that caught my eye—it was the quiet certainty in her voice as she discussed pricing tiers with a young tourist from Ohio. This wasn’t a hobby; it was a livelihood, and it’s part of a much larger, quietly revolutionary economic shift happening nationwide—one where Americans over 65 aren’t just retiring to porch swings and early-bird specials, but are actively reshaping local economies through paid work, entrepreneurship, and caregiving that generates billions in annual value.

The recent 1News report highlighting that New Zealanders over 65 contribute over $34 billion annually to their economy might seem worlds away from the cobblestones of King Street, but the underlying trend is strikingly familiar here in the Lowcountry. Although the study focused on Kiwi demographics, parallel research from the MSN-cited study shows paid work by Americans over 65 is worth nearly $9 billion a year nationally—a figure that feels conservative when you consider the unpaid caregiving, volunteer leadership, and micro-entrepreneurship that often goes unmeasured in traditional GDP calculations. In Charleston, where nearly 18% of the population is over 65 (according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates), this demographic isn’t just aging in place—they’re agingintoplace, becoming indispensable nodes in the city’s economic and social fabric.

What makes this particularly potent in Charleston is the intersection of longevity with deep cultural roots. Capture the Gullah Geechee Corridor Commission, a federal entity tasked with preserving the unique heritage of coastal Southeast communities. Many of its most knowledgeable elders—people in their seventies and eighties—are now being paid as cultural consultants for historic preservation projects along the Ashley River, advising developers on sustainable building practices that respect centuries-old land-use traditions. Similarly, the College of Charleston’s Center for the Study of Slavery in Justice regularly contracts retired historians and educators—not as figureheads, but as lead researchers—to interpret archival materials that require lived contextual understanding no textbook can provide. These aren’t token roles; they’re positions demanding expertise, and they’re compensated accordingly.

Then there’s the entrepreneurial surge. Along the Upper King Street corridor, where historic warehouses have been transformed into boutique retail spaces, you’ll uncover businesses like Heritage Threads, a tailoring shop run by a 72-year-old former U.S. Air Force uniform specialist who now alters vintage military jackets for collectors nationwide. Or Lowcountry Preserves, a jam and jelly operation started by a 68-year-old retired nurse from Mount Pleasant, whose products now appear in the gift shops of both Magnolia Plantation and the Charleston Museum. These ventures aren’t side hustles—they’re primary incomes, often fueled by decades-honed skills that found new market relevance in the post-pandemic economy’s appetite for authenticity and craftsmanship.

Of course, this trend isn’t without friction. Healthcare access remains a critical concern, especially for those who choose self-employment over traditional retirement benefits. The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) has responded by expanding its Senior Health Outreach Program, offering sliding-scale preventive care clinics at locations like the John’s Island Regional Library and the North Charleston Community Center—places where elders already gather for social programs. Meanwhile, the Charleston Regional Business Alliance has launched a “Second Act Entrepreneurship” initiative, connecting over-65 founders with microloans and digital marketing mentorship through partnerships with local SCORE chapters and the Charleston Digital Corridor.

Given my background in community-driven economic storytelling, if this trend impacts you in Charleston—whether you’re considering launching a consultancy based on your career expertise, navigating healthcare options as a self-employed senior, or simply looking to engage more meaningfully with the city’s evolving workforce—here are three types of local professionals you’ll want to connect with:

First, seek out Age-Inclusive Business Advisors—not just any small business consultant, but those who understand the unique valuation of lifetime experience. Look for practitioners affiliated with the South Carolina Small Business Development Center who offer specialized workshops on monetizing hobby-based skills (like sweetgrass basket weaving or net-making) into sustainable online businesses, and who can help structure ventures to protect Social Security benefits while maximizing income potential.

Second, consider Longevity-Literate Financial Planners—professionals who move beyond generic retirement advice to address the realities of extended working lives. The ideal candidate will have credentials like the Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) designation and familiarity with South Carolina-specific programs such as the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), which helps older adults gain paid work experience in community service roles. They should be able to model income streams that blend part-time work, passive income from intellectual property (like licensing family recipes or historical narratives), and strategic asset drawdowns.

Third, engage with Cultural Heritage Monetization Specialists—a niche but growing field in Charleston. These aren’t genealogists or tour guides; they’re experts who help elders transform personal or family histories into marketable products: oral history archives sold to universities, heritage-based cooking classes hosted in historic homes, or digitally restored photo collections licensed to media producers. Look for those connected to the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture or the Friends of the Gullah/Geechee, who understand both the cultural sensitivity and the market value of authentic Lowcountry narratives.

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