These relatively safe investments for seniors can help retirees looking for higher returns.

A really generous, good employer pension contribution could be as much as 20% of your annual salary. But on average, you could expect between 7% – 14% contribution from your employer in the private sector.

While an annuity may offer more financial security over a longer period of time, you can invest a lump sum, which could offer you more money down the road. Take the time to weigh your options, and choose the one that’s best for your financial situation.

• Real estate investment trusts.
• Dividend-paying stocks.
• Covered calls.
• Preferred stock.
• Annuities.
• Participating cash value whole life insurance.
• Alternative investment funds.
• 8 Best Funds for Retirement.

No investment is entirely safe, but there are five (bank savings accounts, CDs, Treasury securities, money market accounts, and fixed annuities) which are considered the safest investments you can own. Bank savings accounts and CDs are typically FDIC-insured. Treasury securities are government-backed notes.

Treasury securities have a reputation as the ultimate safe haven for funds. Treasury securities typically have a low interest rate, comparable to that of a money market account (or sometimes even lower). While they provide a safe place to keep your money, these securities may not keep pace with inflation.

20 Safe Investments with High Returns

• Investment #1: High-Yield Savings Account.
• Investment #2: Certificates of Deposit (CDs)
• Investment #3: High-Yield Money Market Accounts.
• Investment #4: Treasury Securities.
• Investment #5: Government Bond Funds.
• Investment #6: Municipal Bond Funds.

If you’re 70, you should keep 30% of your portfolio in stocks. However, with Americans living longer and longer, many financial planners are now recommending that the rule should be closer to 110 or 120 minus your age.

1. Rent Your Space. Earn cash hosting people from around the world when you rent out your extra space on Airbnb.
2. Consider Rent a Grandma.
3. Try International Housesitting.
4. Sell Your Photos.
5. Get Paid for Copywriting.
6. Sell Handmade Products Online.
7. Sell Custom Products Online.
8. Try Freelance Tutoring.

One of the best ways to invest for retirement at age 60 is through an IRA, 401(k), or a combination thereof. All of these will allow you to save more money over time. And, you can use tax-free and tax-deferred advantages to pay less to Uncle Sam.

So, it’s theoretically possible for you to get rich off of penny stocks. However, it is unlikely. I don’t have the expertise to mentor you in penny stock trading (it’s trading, by the way, that seems to be the appropriate strategy for investing in penny stocks – not investing).