Retirement at 65 Is Dead in These States: America's Highest Share of Working Seniors Lives Here

New Census data shows millions of Americans 65+ remain in work, with some states having much higher employment rates. (Credit: freepik)

For decades, retirement at 65 was viewed as a milestone that marked the end of working life. Today, the picture looks different.

Across the US, millions of people who have reached traditional retirement age continue to work. New figures show that nearly one in five Americans aged 65 and older remained employed in 2025, highlighting how employment patterns among older adults vary widely across the country. The findings come from a LendingTree analysis of data from the US Census Bureau's Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement covering 2023 to 2025.