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A 2025 Pew Research Center survey finds that Americans believe the best age to retire is around 61.8, which is earlier than when most people qualify for full government benefits like Medicare and Social Security.
While many hope to leave the workforce in their early 60s, financial pressure and access to Medicare and Social Security benefits often push actual retirement further out. Understanding how retirement expectations stack up against real-world milestones can help you create a more resilient retirement plan.
Key Takeaways
- Americans say the best age to retire is around 62, according to a 2025 Pew Research Center survey.
- However, the reality is that many retirees continue working past 65 to cover healthcare costs and maintain income.
- Medicare eligibility begins at 65, and full Social Security benefits start between 66 and 67, depending on birth year.
What Americans Say Is the “Best” Retirement Age
In the Pew survey, about 26% of respondents said the best age to retire falls between 65 and 69, while 20% preferred retiring between 60 and 64. A smaller share—just 6%—said 70 or older was ideal. Interestingly, about a third said there is no one “best” age to retire.
Globally, the picture looks different. Across 18 other countries surveyed, the average ideal retirement age is 58. According to Pew Research, “On average across the 18 non-U.S. countries, people say it is best to get married and have a child around age 26, buy a home around 30, and retire around 58.”
How the Ideal Retirement Age Compares to Reality
While many Americans hope to retire around 62, the real-world timing often looks different. Health, finances, and access to government benefits all influence when people actually leave the workforce.
Average Retirement Age in the U.S.
The Pew survey explained, “Over the years, more Americans have been working past age 65, and 19% of Americans ages 65 and older were employed in 2023.” Most Americans retire between the ages of 62 and 64. But several factors are pushing retirement later, including rising life expectancy, greater financial need, and delays in access to Medicare and full Social Security benefits.
Medicare and Social Security Milestones
Healthcare and government benefits play a major role in when people actually retire. Medicare eligibility begins at 65, while full Social Security benefits kick in between ages 66 and 67, depending on birth year. Although Americans can start claiming Social Security as early as 62, doing so results in reduced monthly payments.
Important
Retiring before 65 could leave you without affordable healthcare unless you plan ahead for private insurance.
Factors That Shape Retirement Timing
While the national average offers a broad picture, the “age U.S. adults think is best for each milestone differs based on factors like political party, age, income, and the importance they place on religion.”
| Demographic | Preferred Retirement Age |
| Adults under 30 | Just before 60 |
| Older adults | Closer to 65 |
| Upper-income | 62.6 |
| Lower-income | 61.2 |
| Men vs. Women | No major difference |
| Democrats vs. Republicans | Democrats generally favor later retirement |
Tip
Your ideal retirement age might shift depending on your income, healthcare needs, and long-term goals.
The Bottom Line
Although many Americans hope to retire around 62, government programs like Medicare and Social Security are structured around later retirement milestones. Planning ahead is essential. Start by estimating your future healthcare costs and running Social Security benefit calculations for different retirement ages. Setting flexible retirement goals, especially beyond 65, can help protect your finances and give you more options as your needs evolve.
