ESTA: What to fill in if you’re retired or unemployed?

The ESTA form asks various questions about your profession. Here's how to answer if you're retired or currently unemployed.

Employment questions on the ESTA

If you’re flying to the United States and you’re a citizen of a European country, you must apply for an ESTA—the Electronic System for Travel Authorization. See my article on the ESTA USA and my step-by-step guide on how to fill out the ESTA form.
The form includes many questions, including questions about your employment. US authorities want to know your employer’s name and your job title. You’ll also need to provide your employer’s address and phone number.
Why these questions? Beyond terrorism concerns, US authorities worry most about letting in people who plan to settle illegally and work in the United States. By providing your employer’s name and address, US immigration can verify that you already have a job.

If you’re retired or unemployed, these employment questions can be tricky. What do you answer when you don’t have an employer? Will US authorities deny you entry because you’re not working?
Here’s how to avoid any problems. If you’re retired, simply fill in the employment questions with your last employer before you retired. At the border, the immigration officer may ask what you do. Tell them you’re retired. In English, this is “retired”.
If you’re unemployed, also list your last employer. One important tip: don’t immediately say you’re currently out of work. If the immigration officer asks what your profession is, simply describe your field of work. If the questions get more specific and the officer asks for a business card, for example, don’t lie—say you’re currently “unemployed” but expecting your next job soon. The key is to make clear to the officer that you have no intention of looking for work in the United States.

If you’ve never had an employer, that’s not a problem either. Answer “no” to the question “Do you have a current or former employer?” You won’t need to provide any additional details on the ESTA form.
Once in the US, if the immigration officer asks why you said you don’t have an employer, explain your situation. If you’re a homemaker, say you’re a “housewife” or “house husband”.
In any case, make sure you have your return flight ticket and your hotel reservation in New York with you. The goal is to show that you’re coming to the US for vacation and have no intention of staying.