Retirement may be the ultimate goal for many working Americans, but the path to it — and the age at which it’s reached — varies significantly between men and women. While the gender wage gap continues to shape financial realities, it also influences when individuals feel ready or able to leave the workforce.
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Surprisingly, despite earning less over their lifetimes, women tend to retire earlier than men. According to data from the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, the average retirement age for men in 2025 is 65, while for women it’s 63. This two-year difference raises important questions about financial preparedness, health and societal expectations.
While the specific retirement ages can vary between studies, one trend remains the same: men and women are consistently delaying retirement until their 60s. Keep reading for a closer look at the most recent data.
Quick Take: The Average Retirement Age
In general, the average retirement age in the U.S. is currently 62, but this varies across states and can range from 61 to 66. The actual retirement age often differs from when people expect to retire, which is typically between ages 65 to 66. It’s important to note that Social Security’s full retirement age (FRA) is now 67 for those born after 1960, while Medicare eligibility begins at 65.
Americans work longer but also live longer, which leads to extended retirement periods. Here are a few key takeaways about average retirement ages:
- The expected retirement length has grown from 12.8 to 18.6 years for men and from 16.6 to 21.3 years for women since 1970.
- Retirement duration has increased by nearly 50%, even with people retiring later.
- Social Security benefits vary by retirement age. Retiring at age 62 results in about $2,831 per month, whereas retiring at full retirement age between 66 and 67 is about $4,018 per month and retiring at age 70 will get you the highest payment of about $5,108 per month.
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Reasons People Delay Retirement
Retirement planning is not as straightforward for younger generations like Millennials, Gen Z or even Gen X as it has been for boomers. Though the biggest reason people delay retirement tends to be financial, rising life expectancy and healthcare costs can shift timelines as well. Some Americans delay retiring until their FRA when they can receive their maximum payout for Social Security benefits, while others wait until they can be covered under Medicare.
Why Women Retire Earlier Than Planned
Some people, especially women, may intend to keep working into their late 60s or early 70s, but circumstances force an earlier retirement. These reasons include health, family care needs, and a lay-off or job loss. According to the senior care website A Place for Mom, in 2023, roughly 75% of unpaid caregivers to spouses, aging parents, or other seniors were women.
It’s also been reported that early childhood trauma, ranging from childhood poverty to negative exposures and unfavorable conditions, can lead to chronic disease, mental illness, obesity and even risky health behaviors like smoking, in later years. These conditions, in turn, can lead to early-than-planned retirement for men and women alike.
Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting of this article.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: What’s the Average Retirement Age for Men vs. Women in 2025?
