U.S. — About 1 in 4 U.S. adults over 50 say they expect to never retire, according to a 2024 AARP survey. As of 2024, nearly 1 in 5 Americans age 65 and older hold jobs, and the number of employed adults in that age group rose more than 33% between 2015 and 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Some older adults continue working due to low retirement savings, while others stay employed because of the rising cost of living. Employer-sponsored health insurance and caregiving responsibilities also contribute to extended workforce participation among older Americans.
For some, remaining employed is a personal choice tied to identity and well-being. Research in gerontology, rehabilitation, and occupational psychology shows that work can reinforce a person's sense of self, provide structure, social interaction, routine, and meaning in later adulthood. Work can also be one of the few places where older adults continue to feel visible, needed, and socially anchored.
Traditional spaces that once fostered social connection outside of work—such as civic organizations, bowling leagues, churches, and community groups—have declined in recent decades in the U.S. Loneliness and social disconnection are increasingly recognized as major public health concerns, which may further elevate the social role of employment for older adults.
Cultural norms around retirement have shifted. The average retirement age in the U.S. was 57 in 1991, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For many today, the moment of recognizing when it is time to retire has become far less clear in modern life. Some older adults remain in the workforce because they want to stay active and engaged, while others find their professional roles central to their sense of purpose.
Congress passed the Social Security Act in 1935, and pension coverage expanded rapidly in the U.S. after World War II. Despite those developments, financial pressures and changing social dynamics have altered retirement expectations. The concept of successful aging often emphasizes continued workforce participation, independence, productivity, and purpose, and older adults are increasingly encouraged to remain active, productive, healthy, and engaged well into their later years.