Whether it’s ride sharing or food delivery, seniors have apparently discovered that Uber and Lyft provide not only supplemental income to Social Security and retirement pay, but also social interaction and a sense of purpose. A recent study estimated that roughly 17% of Tampa Bay Uber drivers were over the age of 55. While driving for Lyft or Uber carries expenses of its own – car insurance, supplemental rideshare insurance and rising gasoline prices – it still represents a reliable source of income at a time in which employers are not likely to hire seniors. The gig economy continues to reshape economics.
Originally posted for the Orlando Sentinel’s Central Florida 100.