"Side jobs for those in their 50s are livelihood-driven labor"... Side workers in SMEs surge by 37% in 5 years

The number of wage earners employed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) who also perform side jobs has increased sharply over the last five years. According to the content of a video from the YouTube channel 'Finance with Toad Tax Accountant', the number of SME wage earners with side jobs as of 2025 approaches 379,000. This is an increase of approximately 37% compared to the level of 270,000 in 2020.

The Wage Gap and the Reality of Livelihood-Driven Side Jobs

In the video, the wage gap between large corporations and SMEs was identified as one of the main reasons for choosing side jobs. As of December 2024, the average monthly income of wage earners is 3.75 million won, with large corporations at 6.143 million won and SMEs at 3.07 million won, showing that large corporations are about twice as high as SMEs. In particular, for SME workers in their 50s, where expenditures such as children's education costs and parents' nursing care costs are concentrated, side jobs take on the character of livelihood-driven labor beyond simple additional income.

According to statistics presented by citing the 'Financial Life Report of Ordinary People' from Shinhan Bank, the average monthly side job hours for side workers are 45.5 hours, and the average monthly income is around 540,000 won. This is an amount that can only be obtained by dedicating an entire day every Saturday, which carries risks of physical burden and deteriorating health for workers in their 50s. The video mentioned analyses from WHO and ILO stating that the risk of stroke or heart disease increases when working more than 55 hours per week, warning against the danger of the method of preserving income by increasing labor hours.

The 3 Years Before Retirement: From 'Labor Selling Time' to 'Structure Selling Experience'

As a specific preparation strategy for those in their 50s facing retirement, 'assetization of experience' was presented. The video emphasized that professional knowledge accumulated through 30 years of workplace life, such as sales, production, accounting, and human resources, should not be consumed only within the company, but should be recorded to create a structure that can be utilized externally.

As a specific method, it was suggested to use every Friday or Saturday to record work know-how. If recorded steadily for 3 years based on 52 weeks a year, approximately 150 articles can be secured, and if about 60 of these are selected to compose a table of contents, it becomes enough volume to publish a book. Such records serve as the foundation for transitioning from 'side jobs selling time' to a 'structure selling experience' such as lectures, consulting, blogs, and e-books in the future.

Essential Checkpoints for Asset Management and Health

As the third pillar of retirement preparation, acquiring financial knowledge and health management were emphasized. The video advised that one must directly study pension savings, IRP, ISA, the timing of receiving retirement pensions and the National Pension, and the possibility of changes in health insurance premiums. In particular, it explained that if side job income occurs, it becomes subject to comprehensive income tax reporting, and one should be aware that the burden of health insurance premiums may increase if converted to a local subscriber depending on the scale of income.

Furthermore, it suggested that health should be perceived not as a simple cost but as an 'asset'. The analysis is that it is essential for long-term survival in old age to reinvest a portion of side job income into health checkups, exercise, and treatment to maintain physical abilities. The video concluded by recommending that rather than excessively increasing labor hours, one should simultaneously pursue an investment method of accumulating knowledge and experience.