46% of Retirees Leave Work Early; Average Age is 62

According to the 2026 Retirement Confidence Survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute and Greenwald Research, 46% of retirees left the workforce earlier than planned, with an average retirement age of 62 compared to an expected age of 65. The Society of Actuaries Research Institute found that 59% of retirees retired earlier than anticipated, primarily due to health problems cited by 49% of low-income retirees and 35% due to job loss and employer disruptions. This shift in retirement timing can significantly impact financial security and healthcare access before Medicare eligibility. This trend may affect financial planning strategies for both employers and current workers as they prepare for retirement.