Retirement is looking less permanent for many older Americans

A recent survey by ResumeBuilder.com, which polled 3,574 U.S. seniors aged 65 and older, finds that a significant number are either postponing retirement or reentering the workforce — a trend that has persisted through the company’s 2023 and 2024 studies and now appears set to continue into 2026.

The survey shows that retirement timelines are stretching further into the future. While 6% of seniors said they planned to retire by the end of 2025, 15% expect to retire in 2026, and 23% in 2027. Another 13% are targeting 2028, and 9% say 2029.

The largest share — 34% — reported that they do not plan to retire until 2030 or later. Overall, roughly one in 10 seniors say they don’t expect to retire until the next decade or beyond.

For many, retirement is no longer a firm exit from the workforce but a gradual shift. Among seniors who plan to keep working, 58% expect to work part-time, while 42% say they will continue full-time.

Returning to work — or never leaving

The survey found that 8% of seniors have already returned to work after retiring. Of those, 74% reentered the workforce before 2024, while 13% returned in 2024 and another 13% in 2025. An additional 4% say they are currently applying for jobs with plans to rejoin the workforce in 2026.

At the same time, 16% of respondents say they never retired at all, underscoring that a notable segment of older Americans has continued working past traditional retirement age.

Altogether, nearly one in eight seniors has either already returned to work or is planning to do so in 2026.

Cost-of-living pressures loom large

Financial realities are playing a major role in these decisions. More than half of respondents (54%) say the high cost of living is a reason they are continuing to work or returning to work. The same percentage says they simply enjoy working.

Another 37% report they have not saved enough for retirement, while 26% cite concerns about potential changes to Social Security. Nearly one in five (19%) say worries about changes to Medicare are influencing their decision.

Still, money isn’t the only motivator. About 34% say they are working to combat boredom, and many report wanting to stay mentally and socially engaged.

“For many seniors, retirement has become more flexible than final,” said Stacie Haller, chief career advisor at ResumeBuilder.com. “Rising living costs, concerns about long-term savings, and uncertainty around Social Security and Medicare are pushing more older Americans to either delay retirement or return to work after leaving the workforce.”

At the same time, Haller notes that workplace changes are making it easier for older adults to stay employed.

“Remote and hybrid roles, part-time work, and project-based positions make it easier for seniors to stay engaged on their own terms,” she said. “For many, continuing to work isn’t about necessity — it’s about purpose, connection, and simply enjoying the work itself.”

Redefining retirement

The findings suggest that retirement is increasingly viewed as a flexible phase rather than a clear-cut endpoint. For some seniors, this stage of life presents an opportunity to explore new interests, start a business, or pursue more meaningful projects.

Haller says many of her clients choose to keep working because they value the sense of purpose and routine it provides, along with the added financial security.

“Retirement today is less about stepping away and more about working with intention and choice,” she said.