Retirement Doubts: 20 Reasons Americans No Longer Believe In Retiring at 65

Remember when turning 65 meant it was time to relax and enjoy your golden years? For many Americans, that dream is becoming less realistic. The traditional retirement age of 65 is no longer the norm, as more people find themselves working well into their seventies.

A 2024 Equitable Survey revealed that nearly half of Americans (47%) believe retiring at 65 is unrealistic. Instead, they expect to retire almost a decade later, at an average age of 74. This shift represents a significant change in how we view and plan for our later years.

The reasons behind this trend are complex and varied. They range across financial challenges and economic factors to societal shifts and personal choices. Understanding these reasons can help us better prepare for our own futures and adapt to the changing retirement landscape.

In this article, we’ll look at 20 key reasons why Americans are pushing back their retirement plans. We’ll examine the financial hurdles, workplace challenges, societal changes, and personal factors that are reshaping retirement in the United States. 

What’s your retirement vision? How are you planning to address these challenges? Let us know in the comments! 

Rising Living Costs

The cost of living keeps going up, outpacing wage growth and making it harder to save for retirement. Housing, healthcare, and everyday necessities are more expensive than ever. This constant increase in prices puts a strain on our ability to set aside money for the future. 

As a result, many people find themselves needing to work longer just to keep up with current expenses, let alone save for retirement. The Equitable Survey found that 68% of respondents cited rising living costs as a major reason for delaying retirement. 

This financial pressure forces many to continue working past 65 simply to maintain their current standard of living.

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Fear of Insufficient Savings

Many Americans worry they won’t have enough money saved to maintain their lifestyle after retiring. This fear is well-founded, as factors like inadequate savings plans, low investment returns, and economic uncertainties make it difficult to build a substantial nest egg. 

The survey revealed that 66% of respondents share this concern. This widespread anxiety about financial security in retirement leads many to postpone their retirement plans, hoping to accumulate more savings in their later years. 

The fear of running out of money in retirement is a powerful motivator for continuing to work beyond the traditional retirement age.

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Lack of Guaranteed Retirement Income

The decline of traditional pension plans has left many workers without a guaranteed income stream in retirement. In their place, market-based retirement accounts like 401(k)s have become the norm.

While these accounts offer potential for growth, they also come with more risk and uncertainty. The survey found that 39% of respondents cited this lack of guaranteed income as a reason for their retirement worries. 

Without the safety net of a pension, many workers feel compelled to stay in the workforce longer to build up their savings and ensure a more secure financial future.

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Inadequate Social Security Benefits

Many Americans rely on Social Security benefits as a key part of their retirement income, but these benefits often fall short of covering basic living expenses. The long-term viability of the Social Security system is also a concern for many. 

As a result, people are increasingly anxious about depending too heavily on Social Security for their retirement needs. 

This uncertainty about the future of Social Security and its ability to provide adequate support leads many to continue working past 65, attempting to build up additional savings to supplement their benefits.

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Escalating Healthcare Costs

As we age, our healthcare needs often increase, and so do the associated costs. While Medicare provides some coverage, it doesn’t pay for everything. Many retirees face significant out-of-pocket expenses for medical care, prescriptions, and long-term care needs. 

These rising healthcare costs can quickly deplete retirement savings, forcing many to work longer to build up a larger financial cushion. 

The prospect of hefty medical bills in retirement is a major factor in pushing Americans to delay their retirement plans and continue earning an income to cover these potential expenses.

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High Levels of Debt

Entering retirement debt-free is ideal, but it’s not the reality for many Americans. A significant number of people carry substantial debt into their retirement years, including mortgages, student loans, and credit card balances. 

Trying to pay off these debts on a fixed retirement income can be overwhelming and may quickly deplete savings. This financial burden often necessitates continuing to work beyond 65 to maintain an income stream for debt repayment. 

The need to clear debts before retiring comfortably is a key factor in delaying retirement for many Americans.

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Stagnant Wages

Despite rising living costs, wage growth has remained relatively flat for decades. This disconnect between income and expenses makes it increasingly difficult to save for retirement. 

When paychecks don’t keep pace with inflation, workers find themselves with less disposable income to set aside for the future. This stagnation in wages forces many to work longer, hoping to make up for lost saving time in their later years. 

The struggle to build substantial retirement savings on stagnant wages is a significant factor in pushing retirement age beyond 65 for many Americans. 

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Job Insecurity

The modern job market offers fewer stable, long-term employment opportunities. Layoffs, underemployment, and age discrimination have become more common, creating financial instability for many workers. 

This unpredictable work environment makes it challenging to plan for retirement with confidence. Many people find themselves needing to work longer to recover after job losses or periods of underemployment. 

The fear of losing a job or struggling to find new employment later in life pushes many to delay retirement, aiming to build a larger financial cushion against potential setbacks.

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Generational Wealth Gap

The wealth gap between generations continues to widen. Younger generations often have less wealth compared to older generations at the same age. 

This disparity puts additional financial pressure on middle-aged Americans who are trying to build their retirement savings while also supporting younger family members. Many find themselves in a “sandwich” generation, financially supporting both their children and aging parents. 

This added responsibility can significantly impact retirement savings, forcing many to extend their working years to meet these multi-generational financial needs.

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Limited Access to Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans

Not all workers have access to employer-sponsored retirement plans, such as 401(k)s. This is particularly true for gig workers, freelancers, and those in lower-paying jobs. 

Without these structured savings options, many Americans lack a straightforward way to build their retirement nest egg. The absence of employer-matching contributions and the convenience of automatic payroll deductions can significantly hinder retirement savings efforts. 

As a result, those without access to these plans often need to work longer to accumulate sufficient retirement savings through alternative means.

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Economic Recessions and Market Volatility

Economic downturns and stock market volatility can severely impact retirement savings. Many Americans saw their retirement accounts lose significant value during the 2008 financial crisis, forcing them to delay their retirement plans. 

These economic shocks can erase years of careful saving and planning in a matter of months. The unpredictability of the market and the potential for future recessions make many workers hesitant to retire, preferring to continue working to rebuild or further pad their savings against potential future economic turmoil.

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Increased Life Expectancy

Americans are living longer than ever before, which means retirement savings need to last longer too. Many underestimate the amount they will need to support themselves through an extended retirement period. 

The prospect of potentially living into one’s 90s or beyond requires a much larger nest egg than previous generations needed. This longevity, while a positive development, creates financial challenges. 

Many people choose to work beyond 65 to ensure they have sufficient savings to support a retirement that could last 30 years or more.

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Impact of Divorce Later in Life

Divorce rates among older adults, often called “gray divorce,” are on the rise. Splitting assets and transitioning to living independently can significantly reduce retirement savings for both parties. 

The financial impact of divorce later in life can be devastating to retirement plans, often requiring individuals to re-enter the workforce or delay retirement to rebuild their financial security. 

The need to establish separate households and divide retirement assets often means working longer to make up for the financial setback caused by late-life divorce.

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Delayed Parenthood

More Americans are having children later in life. This trend means many are still financially supporting children when they would typically be ramping up their retirement savings. 

The costs of raising children, including education expenses, can significantly impact the ability to save for retirement. Parents who have children later often find themselves needing to work longer to balance the financial demands of child-rearing with preparing for their own retirement. 

This delay in focusing on retirement savings can push back retirement plans by several years.

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Financial Support for Grandchildren

A growing number of grandparents are stepping in to raise their grandchildren due to various family circumstances. This unexpected responsibility can lead to additional financial strain, as they need to cover education, healthcare, and daily living expenses for young dependents. 

Taking on the role of primary caregiver later in life can significantly impact retirement plans and savings. Many grandparents in this situation find themselves postponing retirement or returning to work to meet the financial needs of raising grandchildren.

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Underestimating Retirement Needs

Many individuals underestimate how much money they will need in retirement. This miscalculation often leads to insufficient savings and the realization that retiring at 65 may not be feasible. 

Factors such as inflation, healthcare costs, and desired lifestyle are frequently underestimated in retirement planning. As people approach retirement age and realize the gap between their savings and their needs, many opt to continue working to bridge this financial gap. 

This realization often comes late, necessitating an extension of working years to catch up on savings.

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Prolonged Work Life for Enjoyment or Purpose

Some people choose to work beyond 65 because they enjoy their jobs or find a sense of purpose in their work. For these individuals, delaying retirement is a personal choice rather than a financial necessity. 

Work provides structure, social interaction, and a sense of accomplishment that many are not ready to give up at 65. 

This shift in perspective on work and retirement means that for some, continuing to work is a positive choice that enhances their quality of life and personal fulfillment in their later years.

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Lack of Long-Term Care Planning

Many Americans do not plan for the high costs of long-term care, such as assisted living or nursing home expenses. 

Without proper planning, these costs can quickly deplete retirement savings. The potential need for long-term care is a significant financial risk in retirement that many overlook. 

Realizing the potential impact of these costs late in the game often leads individuals to extend their working years, attempting to build a financial buffer against possible long-term care needs.

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Financial Illiteracy

A lack of understanding about financial planning, investment strategies, and retirement savings can lead to poor decision-making and inadequate savings. 

Many people feel overwhelmed or unprepared when it comes to managing their finances for retirement. This knowledge gap can result in missed opportunities for saving and investing effectively. 

As a result, many find themselves needing to work longer to compensate for earlier financial missteps or to gain more time to understand and implement effective retirement strategies.

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Evolving Retirement Expectations

The concept of retirement is changing. Many now view it as a time to start new ventures or continue working part-time, rather than fully retiring. This shift in expectations can make the traditional retirement age of 65 seem outdated. 

For some, a phased approach to retirement, gradually reducing work hours or switching to less demanding roles, is more appealing than a complete stop to work. 

This evolving view of retirement means that many people are choosing to extend their working years, seeing work as an integral part of their later-life plans rather than something to leave behind entirely. 

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Reimagining Retirement 

The landscape of retirement in America is changing dramatically. The traditional notion of retiring at 65 is giving way to a more flexible, individualized approach. Financial challenges, economic uncertainties, societal shifts, and personal choices are all contributing to this transformation.

This new retirement reality calls for a fresh perspective on how we plan for our later years. It’s clear that a one-size-fits-all approach no longer works. Instead, we need to adapt our strategies to meet the unique challenges and opportunities of our changing world.

As we look to the future, it’s important to remember that retirement is a personal journey. With careful planning and a willingness to adapt, we can create retirements that are not only financially secure but also personally rewarding.

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AI was used for light editing, formatting, and readability. But a human (me!) wrote and edited this.