Older Applicants

How is the service experience different for older Volunteers?

There’s no upper age limit for Peace Corps Volunteers, and Americans over the age of 50, 60, 70, and 80 have served successfully. Older Volunteers often find that their maturity and professional skills are highly valued in their host country communities.

Service is rewarding but it can also bring new and unexpected challenges. While Peace Corps aims to create Volunteer groups of different perspectives and ages, older Volunteers are often in the minority and may need to adjust to serving among younger Volunteers. They also may need to adapt to a less formal or structured workplace, limited housing options, and developing new tactics for language learning in pre-service training and beyond. You may have less freedom of movement than you are used to due to policies designed to ensure your safety and security. Each experience is as unique as the Volunteer serving.

Check out our blog or watch a video to learn about the experiences of older Volunteers who served in the Peace Corps. Some older Volunteers are motivated to serve in a community and share an immersive experience in the Peace Corps. Others find value in making an impact by sharing their technical skills and experience in a Response position. Virtual Service offers a pathway to experience service over a short period of time from home.

Peace Corps Volunteer and Peace Corps Response Volunteer

Virtual Service

Also check out the Peace Corps 50+ Facebook group for more information.

Is the applicant medical evaluation process different for older candidates?

The medical evaluation process is the same regardless of an applicant’s age. All applicants undergo a comprehensive and personalized medical and dental assessment based on their health history and examination results. This information is used to determine if your individual medical needs can be supported in our host countries. You can find more information on the medical clearance process here.

What kind of medical support is provided during service?

All applicants undergo a comprehensive medical and dental assessment based on their health history to determine if their medical needs can be supported in our host countries.

There is a Peace Corps medical officer in-country to help you protect and maintain your health and to provide necessary and appropriate health care as needed. The Peace Corps assumes the costs of any necessary or appropriate medical and dental treatment provided during Peace Corps service. If a medical condition should arise that requires a level of care not available in the country of assignment, medical evacuation to another country or to the United States will be arranged. Visit the Medical Care During Service page for more details.

How do I stay in touch with family and friends during service?

Volunteers have many options for staying in touch with family and friends while abroad, including use of a cellphone and the internet, although service can vary widely depending on your location. Roughly nine out of every 10 respondents to the 2023 Annual Volunteer Survey (88 percent) stated that they communicate with family and friends in the U.S. at least once a week, with nearly 40 percent stating they communicate daily.

How do I deal with my financial affairs while serving abroad?

See the financial FAQs page. You may also want to familiarize yourself with the benefits of service in order to enhance your financial planning.

Some Volunteers assign power of attorney to someone in the United States to help with their financial affairs.

Social Security and Medicare benefits are administered by other agencies. Individuals should reach out to those agencies with any questions about their unique situation.

For Social Security-related questions, visit a local Social Security office, the Social Security website, or call 800-772-1213.

For Medicare questions, visit a local Medicare office, the Medicare website, or call 1-800-633-4227.

Will Peace Corps service affect my federal pension?

A federal annuitant will continue to collect annuity/pension payments while performing Volunteer service. Volunteers are not considered federal employees, but if the annuitant returns to federal service, they are considered a re-employed annuitant, and their federal salary would be offset by the amount of their annuity.

A FERS-retiree-Volunteer does not have to suspend FERS payments in order to receive FERS retirement credits while serving after retirement.