Americans are working longer than previous generations, but the average retirement age still falls well before the full Social Security age of 67. Here’s the complete picture.
Table of Contents
Average Retirement Age Overview
| Metric | Age |
|---|---|
| Average retirement age | 62.6 years |
| Most common retirement age | 62 |
| Full Social Security retirement age (born 1960+) | 67 |
| Maximum Social Security benefit age | 70 |
| Average years in retirement | 18-20 years |
| Percentage retiring before 60 | 21% |
| Percentage retiring at 62 | 19% |
| Percentage working past 70 | 11% |
Average Retirement Age by State
| State | Average Retirement Age | Median Household Income | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | 59.8 | $52,500 | Lowest — labor-intensive industries |
| Mississippi | 60.2 | $48,600 | Health and physical labor factors |
| Alabama | 60.5 | $54,900 | Below-average incomes push early claims |
| Arkansas | 60.7 | $52,100 | Rural economy, physical jobs |
| Louisiana | 60.8 | $54,200 | Energy and labor sectors |
| … | … | … | … |
| Massachusetts | 64.2 | $96,500 | Higher incomes, knowledge economy |
| New Jersey | 64.1 | $97,100 | High costs but higher savings |
| Connecticut | 64.3 | $90,200 | Wealthy population, professional jobs |
| New York | 64.0 | $81,400 | Financial sector, high earners work longer |
| District of Columbia | 65.1 | $101,700 | Highest — government, professional careers |
Average Retirement Age by Gender
| Gender | Average Retirement Age | % Retiring Before 62 | % Working Past 65 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 63.1 | 34% | 28% |
| Women | 62.0 | 40% | 22% |
| Gap | 1.1 years | — | — |
Women tend to retire earlier due to caregiving responsibilities, lower lifetime earnings (affecting savings), and spousal retirement coordination.
Average Retirement Age by Occupation
| Occupation | Average Retirement Age | Key Factor |
|---|---|---|
| Construction / physical labor | 58-60 | Physical demands |
| Military | 42-45 (first career) | 20-year pension |
| Law enforcement / fire | 55-57 | Early pension eligibility |
| Teaching | 59-62 | Pension rules vary by state |
| Healthcare workers | 62-63 | High stress, shift work |
| Office / administrative | 63-64 | Less physical, moderate pay |
| Engineers / tech | 63-65 | Higher savings, less physical |
| Lawyers | 65-67 | High income, intellectual work |
| Physicians | 65-68 | Long training, high income |
| Business owners / executives | 66-70 | Financial incentives to continue |
Retirement Age Trends Over Time
| Year | Average Retirement Age (Men) | Average Retirement Age (Women) |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 62.6 | 60.3 |
| 2000 | 62.0 | 60.8 |
| 2010 | 63.0 | 61.5 |
| 2020 | 63.0 | 62.0 |
| 2026 | 63.1 | 62.0 |
Retirement ages have been gradually increasing since the mid-1990s as lifespans extend and pensions become less common.
Why People Retire When They Do
| Reason for Retiring | % of Retirees |
|---|---|
| Health problems | 35% |
| Reached financial goal | 22% |
| Laid off / job loss | 14% |
| Caregiving responsibilities | 10% |
| Wanted to enjoy life | 12% |
| Company downsizing | 7% |
Notably, only 22% retire because they planned to — the majority are pushed by health, layoffs, or life circumstances. This underscores the importance of saving early.
Social Security and Retirement Age
Your Social Security benefit changes dramatically based on when you claim:
| Claiming Age | % of Full Benefit | Monthly Benefit (if full is $2,500) |
|---|---|---|
| 62 | 70% | $1,750 |
| 63 | 75% | $1,875 |
| 64 | 80% | $2,000 |
| 65 | 86.7% | $2,167 |
| 66 | 93.3% | $2,333 |
| 67 (full) | 100% | $2,500 |
| 68 | 108% | $2,700 |
| 69 | 116% | $2,900 |
| 70 | 124% | $3,100 |
Each year you delay past 62 increases your benefit by 5-8%. For more, see when to claim Social Security.
How Much Do You Need to Retire?
| Retirement Age | Years to Fund (to Age 85) | Savings Needed ($60k/yr spending) |
|---|---|---|
| 55 | 30 years | $1,800,000 |
| 60 | 25 years | $1,500,000 |
| 62 | 23 years | $1,380,000 |
| 65 | 20 years | $1,200,000 |
| 67 | 18 years | $1,080,000 |
| 70 | 15 years | $900,000 |
Earlier retirement means more savings needed. Use our retirement savings calculator or FIRE calculator to plan your numbers.
Bottom Line
While the average American retires at 62.6, many are forced into earlier retirement by health or job loss. Building adequate savings, understanding your Social Security benefits, and having a realistic plan for how much you need to retire are essential regardless of when you plan to stop working.
